Iran’s Judiciary Chief Condemns Arrest of Bahraini Opposition Leader
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran's Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani strongly condemned the continued detention of the secretary general of Bahrain’s al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, Sheikh Ali Salman, saying that the West is backing Al Khalifa regime in oppressing people.
“The situation of Bahrain has become very miserable and the people, who are only seeking their right to vote, have been targeted by massive crackdown underway by the Bahraini regime under the support provided by the West (for Manama regime),” Ayatollah Amoli Larijani said in meeting with high-ranking judicial officials in Tehran on Wednesday.
“One of the basic and rational principles of democracy, as claimed by Westerners, is that people should have the right to vote and elect their real representatives,” he said, adding, "But in Bahrain, people are being oppressed."
“We condemn the oppressive measures used against the freedom-seeking cleric and the Bahraini people,” the Iranian judiciary chief said.
The remarks came after the Al Khalifa ruling regime rejected on Sunday an appeal to free Sheikh Ali Salman and extended the detention of the prominent cleric by 15 more days.
The decision was made despite massive protests and international calls for the Shiite cleric’s immediate and unconditional release.
Bahraini authorities detained Sheikh Salman on December 28, 2014, after long hours of investigation.
Following the massive anti-regime protests held on December 26, Bahrain's Interior Ministry had ordered Salman to appear before police investigators without providing any explanation as to why the summons was issued.
On Monday, December 29, charges of "inciting violent change of regime through threats and illegal practices," as well as "public insult of the Interior Ministry" were leveled against Salman.
