Bahrain Mirror (Exclusive): The Bahraini High Court of First Tier acquitted on Thursday (June 21, 2018) opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman as well as Al-Wefaq senior officials, Sheikh Hassan Sultan, and Ali Al-Aswad of the charge of "colluding with Qatar."

Salman, who is serving a four-year prison sentence, has been referred to trial by the Public Prosecution on charges of "communicating with Qatar" over a call he made with Qatar's former Prime Minister, Hamad bin JassIm Al Thani, in March 2011 as part of a US initiative to contain the crisis in the country.

The Prosecution charged, along with Salman, Sheikh Hassan Sultan and Ali Al-Aswad, who are prominent leaders of Al-Wefaq Society, the island kingdom's largest opposition political group.

The acquittal means that Salman's term will end on December 28.

The Prosecution, which demanded a maximum penalty against Salman, could challenge the verdict at the Court of Appeal.

Arabic Version