Bahrainis protest continued detention, trials of Shiite clerics
Demonstrators in Diraz reportedly denounced what they described as unjust proceedings and prolonged detentions.
IRNA, citing Bahraini websites, reported that residents demonstrated in Diraz against the continued detention and trial of Shiite clerics. The supplied report also described allegations of prolonged proceedings and broader religious and security restrictions, while noting that these claims were not independently verified.
TEHRAN — Bahrainis held a demonstration in the Diraz area near Manama to protest the continued detention and trial of Shiite clerics, according to Iran’s IRNA news agency, which cited the Al-Lؤlؤa website.
The demonstrators reportedly chanted against the ongoing detention and what they described as unfair trials, expressing opposition to the continuation of the proceedings. The report said the island of Sitra had also recently witnessed a demonstration against the trials.
The Bahrain Mirror website recently reported that dozens of Shiite clerics remained on trial. According to that report, the latest hearing was held on Aug. 19 and lasted 13 hours. Judges and defendants were reportedly in separate rooms, while witnesses testified by video link. The report also alleged that one witness concealed their face and made false claims out of fear of being identified.
IRNA further reported that pressure on Bahrain’s Shiite community had increased in recent months through security arrests and religious restrictions. It said security forces had raided Shiite areas in May and detained a number of clerics and religious activists without presenting judicial warrants, though these allegations were not independently verified in the supplied evidence.
The report also cited claims of increased restrictions before Muharram, including summonses and questioning of Shiite clerics, preachers and eulogists, as well as limits on religious ceremonies, speech duration and travel by Bahraini citizens to Iran and Iraq.
Bahraini political groups and human rights activists reportedly called for the immediate release of detainees, an end to arbitrary arrests and the removal of security measures and restrictions imposed on the country’s Shiite community.