Bahrain: Two opposition figures charged with conspiracy November 1

Event

Authorities charged two leading opposition figures on Wednesday, November 1, accusing them of conspiring with Qatar to overthrow the government and incite violence. According to Bahrain's public prosecutor, Sheikh Ali Salman and Sheikh Hassan Sultan allegedly met with Qatari officials to plan anti-government protests in 2011. Both men have denied the charges. Salman, the head of the Shi’a Muslim opposition group Al-Wefaq, has been in prison since 2014 on similar allegations of inciting hatred. Anti-government demonstrations are likely throughout the country, particularly in Manama, in the coming days.

Context

Al-Wefaq was the largest bloc in Bahrain's lower house of parliament until 2011, when most of its members resigned in response to the state's crackdown on Shi'a demonstrations calling for the creation of an elected government. In 2016, courts ordered Al-Wefaq to dissolve for allegedly supporting terrorism, and stripped many of its leaders of their citizenship.

Bahrain's Shi'a Muslims accuse the royal family and the government of marginalizing their community. Protests often take place in locations across Bahrain and regularly result in violent clashes. In late May, five activists protesting in Diraz were killed during clashes with security forces.

Advice

Individuals present in Bahrain are advised to avoid all protests and demonstrations and to monitor any developments to the situation.