Bahrain intensifies crackdown on activists

Regime forces have attacked protesters demanding the release of a prominent Bahraini opposition figure. The forces confronted anti-monarchy protesters in the capital Manama and the village of Bani Jamra in the country’s northwest.

The protesters were demanding the release of Sheikh Ali Salman, the secretary general of the country's main opposition bloc, al-Wefaq National Islamic Society.

Prosecutors on Monday charged Salman with attempting to overthrow the regime and sent him to trial despite international calls for his release.

He will stand trial from January 28 on charges of “promoting the overthrow and change of the political regime by force,” prosecutor general Nayef Mahmud said in a statement.

The opposition leader has been in custody since December 28 and his detention has sparked near-daily protests across the kingdom.In a separate development, prominent Bahraini human rights activist Nabeel Rajab has been found guilty of insulting government ministries on Twitter and sentenced to six months in jail.

24 Jan HN News