Bahrain's Ministry of Interior [6] initiated a criminal investigation on Feb. 17 into alleged illegal content posted by the country's main opposition group, al-Wefaq National Islamic Society [7]. Al-Wefaq regularly publishes content [8] to its website and Twitter account, including pictures of protests against the Sunni majority party. Feb. 14 marked the four-year anniversary of a Shiite uprising in Bahrain and hundreds took the streets to protest [9] a lack of political reform and the imprisonment of Al-Wafeq leader Sheikh Ali Salman [10]. The alleged criminal content involves pictures of wounded protesters from the weekend protests, and claims that the authorities fired buckshot and tear gas to disperse protesters. Al-Wefaq is accused [11] of publicly inciting hatred against the government, encouraging illegal rallies and distributing false news.
Political tensions remain high in Bahrain following protests that began in 2011. Earlier this month, a group of UN human rights experts urged [12] the Bahrain government to release Salman. The human rights experts criticized the arrest and prosecution as a violation of Salman's right to freedom of expression, freedom of association and freedom of religion. In January the Bahrain Ministry of Justice commenced [13] the trial of Salman for his role in promoting an overthrow of the current Bahrain political system. Salman was charged [14] in January for inciting a change of regime by non-peaceful means. Last October a Bahrain court ordered [15] al-Wefaq to suspend all activities.
From Jurist [16], Feb. 17. Used with permission.
