Al Wefaq Head Ali Salman’s Unfair 9-Year Sentence Upheld

12 December 2016 – An appeals court today upheld the arbitrary 9-year sentence against opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman following an extended and flawed re-trial. The Bahraini government ordered a retrial of the leader of Al-Wefaq in October, but these free expression-related convictions upheld today reflect Bahrain’s continued failure to adhere to international standards of[…]

Bahraini Opposition Activist Fadhel Abbas Sentenced to Three Years in Prison on Appeal

27 October 2016 – The Government of Bahrain yesterday decreased the sentence of Fadhel Abbas, former Secretary-General of the al-Wahdawi Political Society. Courts originally sentenced Abbas to five years in prison, following a June 2015 conviction on charges violating Abbas’ right to free expression. However, following his appeal, a court has now reduced Abbas’ sentence[…]

Bahraini court orders retrial on case of Sheikh Ali Salman

On Monday 17 October 2016, Bahrain’s Court of Cassation ordered a retrial on the case of Sheikh Ali Salman. Sheikh Ali Salman is the former Secretary-General of the largest political opposition bloc in Bahrain, Al-Wefaq, which is now dissolved. The Government of Bahrain has convicted him for “inciting hatred” and “encouraging violent regime change” on[…]

Bahrain’s High Court of Appeals Upholds Dissolution of Al-Wefaq

22 September 2016 – Bahrain’s second High Civil Court of Appeals today upheld an earlier court decision to dissolve Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, the largest political opposition group in Bahrain. The undersigned NGOs strongly condemn the court’s decision, which is representative of the Government of Bahrain’s broader efforts to silence civil society. On 14 June[…]