Bahraini secular leader accused of 'inciting hatred'

Ibrahim Sharif, one of Bahrain's main opposition leaders, has been briefly detained for 'inciting hatred and contempt' against the Gulf state's regime.

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab & agencies

14 November, 2016

Sharif was jailed for taking part in the 2011 anti-government protests [AFP]

Bahraini authorities have accused a prominent opposition figure of "inciting hatred and contempt against the regime" in a statement to foreign media.

The prosecution said on Sunday it had summoned Ibrahim Sharif after he made a statement that "harms the kingdom's constitutional system" to a foreign press outlet.

Sharif denied parts of the statement attributed to him, it said, adding that he was released after being charged and pending further investigations.

The al-Wasat daily confirmed the release with Sharif's lawyer.

Sharif, the former secretary general of the Waed secular association, spoke to foreign press last week during a visit by the UK's Prince Charles to the Gulf kingdom.

Authorities in July freed Sharif after he served a one-year jail term for anti-regime incitement.

He had already served four years of a five-year sentence over the 2011 protests before being released under a royal amnesty in June last year.

But he was re-arrested the following month after he addressed a memorial service for someone killed during the suppression of the Arab Spring-inspired demonstrations in early 2011.