Protests sweep Bahrain for release of opposition leader

Protests swept Friday many parts of Bahrain for the release of opposition leader and general secretary of Al Wefaq National Islamic Society Ali Salman.

Salman was summoned by the Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID) Sunday and the public prosecution remanded him Tuesday for seven day in detention pending investigation.

Public prosecution charged him with promoting political change using illegal forceful means, explicitly inciting hatred against specific segments of the society, incitement to non-compliance with the law and deliberate defamation of a statutory body (interior ministry).

Al Wefaq Friday posted on its twitter account photos of demonstrations in different parts of the country that were dispersed by the police, Xinhua reported. The interior ministry hasn't yet published any statement of violence or rioting.

Salman's arrest attracted criticism from different human rights organisations, including UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The foreign affairs ministry defended his arrest and highlighted that it was for legal reasons.

The public prosecution announced that it presented the defendant with evidence underpinning the charges, including recordings of public speeches that promoted political change, confronting state authorities, calls to stage unlawful protests, in addition to incitement to non-compliance with the law.

Bahrain has been suffering instability and violence since 2011 with Shia protesters demanding more reforms and rights.