Bahrain Mirror: Bahrain's national opposition democratic societies said that the High Appeals Court ruling issued today (May 30, 2016) against the opposition leader and Secretary-General of Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, Sheikh Ali Salman, "will only aggravate the security and political situation in Bahrain, further intensify tensions, and thwart the political solution demanded by the opposition."

In a joint statement, Al-Wefaq, Wa'ad, Al-Ekha and Nationalist Democratic Assembly further stated that toughening the prison sentence against Sheikh Salman "comes as part of a campaign targeting the peaceful movement which Salman and the national opposition democratic societies adhere to. It will further aggravate the deteriorating situation in Bahrain, which is in need of political stability, established by a serious dialogue."

The opposition groups also called for putting an end to the "security" policy adopted by the authorities which violates the freedoms of expression and opinion and contradicts with the spirit of National Action Charter and all international treaties and conventions on human rights and freedoms.

Arabic Version