Bahrainis protest continued detention of Sheikh Salman

Protesters staged a rally in the northwestern village of Diraz, situated about 12 kilometers (7 miles) southeast of the capital, Manama, following Friday prayers, demanding the freedom of Salman, who is the secretary general of Bahrain’s main opposition bloc, the al-Wefaq National Islamic Society.

The protesters also called for the unconditional release of all political prisoners, and pledged to continue protests against the ruling Al Khalifa regime until their demand for a democratically-elected government is met.

Sheikh Salman was detained last December on charges that included seeking regime change and collaborating with foreign powers. He denied the charges during a first court hearing in late January.

The renowned Shia cleric has strongly dismissed the allegations, saying he has been seeking reforms through peaceful means.
His arrest has drawn condemnations from both inside and outside Bahrain, with leaders, governments and international organizations calling for his immediate release.

In April, Amnesty International called on the Bahraini regime to release all political prisoners.

Since mid-February 2011, thousands of anti-regime protesters have held numerous demonstrations on the streets of Bahrain, calling for the Al Khalifa family to relinquish power.

Scores of Bahrainis have been killed and hundreds of others injured and arrested in the ongoing crackdown on peaceful demonstrations.