Thousands of Shiite worshipers in Bahrain's Diraz took part in a march following Friday prayers at the Imam Sadiq Mosque during which they chanted different slogans demanding putting an end to the sectarian discrimination practiced against them.

As the organization that governs global soccer gathers this week to choose a new president, a leading contender risks stirring up another source of controversy for the sport: human rights, reports the New York Times.

Several European newspapers launched severe attacks against the member of the ruling family in Bahrain, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, who is considered to be the prominent candidate for FIFA presidency, in the exceptional elections held in Zurich, Switzerland.

International Business Times said that FIFA is facing calls to publish the "integrity checks" it carried out on its presidential candidates after the front runner was once again accused of doing nothing to protect players and coaches involved in 2011's anti-government protests in Bahrain.

Bahrain Mirror (Reuters): A Bahraini court sentenced four people to five years in prison for plotting to receive explosives and weapons training to carry out attacks in the Gulf Arab kingdom, the public prosecutor said in a statement on Thursday.

Bahrain Mirror (AP): A Bahraini court sentenced a secular political figure on Wednesday to a year in prison over a speech he made in 2015 calling for change in the tiny island kingdom.

Amnesty International said on Wednesday (February 24, 2016) the sentencing of Bahraini political activist Ebrahim Sharif to one year in prison is a blatant attempt to punish him for speaking out.

The families of detainees held at Dry Dock Prison rallied and called on the Bahraini Ministry of Interior to meet the prisoners' demands and improve prison conditions.

Bahrain Mirror: The Bahraini Foreign Ministry reiterated that it backs Saudi Arabia and completely supports the measures it has taken to reinforce security. This statement came as a comment on the death of a Bahraini national in Al-Awamiya area at the hands of Saudi forces.

Bahrain Mirror (Reuters): A prominent Bahraini opposition figure was sentenced to a year in jail on Wednesday on charges of insulting the kingdom's ruling system in a speech last year, his defence lawyer said.

Bahrain Mirror: The Bahraini authorities released on Wednesday (February 24, 2016) the Imam of Imam Sadiq Mosque in Diraz, the prominent Shiite cleric Sheikh Mohammad Sanqour, after interrogation without raising any charges against him.

Bahraini authorities expelled a Bahraini national who was stripped of his citizenship, Hussein Khayrallah Mohammad Mohammadi, to the Lebanese capital Beirut on Wednesday (February 24, 2016), according to lawyer Mohammad Al-Tajer.

The Omani authorities handed over Bahraini activist Hassan Al-Baqali, who was arrested a day earlier after transiting through Oman airport for the purpose of travelling to Europe, to Bahrain.

Detainee Mohammad Fakhrawi has started an open hunger strike protesting against the new human rights violations committed against the detainees in Dry Dock Prison.

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) stated in a statistical report that it recorded 22 peaceful protests and 31 arbitrary arrests within the past week.

Information revealed that military vehicles and Saudi forces attacked Al-Awamiya area in Qatif in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, which left at least one person killed and several injured.

Bahrain Mirror (AFP): A Bahrain court jailed a Sunni opposition leader for one year for incitement against the regime on Wednesday but dropped a more serious charge of promoting political change by force, a judicial official said.

Bahrain Mirror (Reuters): Saudi Arabia and Bahrain warned their citizens on Tuesday against travel to Lebanon, citing safety concerns, and the United Arab Emirates said it was banning its nationals from visiting the Mediterranean country.

Bahrain's Second High (Appeals) Criminal Court adjourned the case of lawyer Taymour Karimi and nine others who were stripped of their citizenships until March 9, 2016, in order to bring a royal decree.

The Guardian revealed in an article by journalist Jamie Doward that there are documents proving that "Britain has been accused of waging a behind-the-scenes PR offensive aimed at neutering United Nations criticism of Bahrain for its human rights record, including the alleged use of torture by its security forces."