Bahrain hands Shiite opposition ex-MP jail term for tweet

A member of Bahrain's main Shiite opposition group was sentenced today to six months in jail for a tweet over election bribes, his Al-Wefaq movement which boycotted the November polls said.

Former MP Jamil Kazem tweeted to attack the government of the Sunni-ruled kingdom over reported bribes it paid for candidates to take part in the legislative elections.

Al-Wefaq said his conviction, including a fine, showed "the regime does not believe in political dialogue but rather in arbitrary procedures against those who do not share its opinions".

The sentencing comes as Al-Wefaq chief Sheikh Ali Salman, whose arrest on December 28 sparked clashes between protesters and security forces, remains in detention.
 

Bahraini authorities have said his detention has been extended pending a probe into charges including seeking to change the regime by force.