Bahrain revokes Shia cleric's citizenship over charges of ‘sectarian divisions’
'Sheikh Isa Qassim was alleged to have used his position to serve foreign interests, promote sectarian violence'
This file photo taken on May 17, 2013 shows Bahraini top senior Shia cleric, Sheikh Isa Qassim giving a speech to worshipers during the Friday prayers at a mosque in the village of Diraz, west of the capital Manama. PHOTO: AFP
DUBAI:
Bahraini authorities have revoked the citizenship of the most prominent Shia cleric in the Sunni-ruled kingdom, accusing him of sowing sectarian divisions, the interior ministry said Monday.
Sheikh Isa Qassim, considered the spiritual leader of Bahrain's Shia majority, was alleged to have used his position to "serve foreign interests and promote... sectarianism and violence," the ministry said in a statement carried by BNA state news agency.
Qassim "adopted theocracy and stressed the absolute allegiance to the clergy," the ministry said, adding that he had been in continuous contact with "organisations and parties that are enemies of the kingdom."
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The decision follows the suspension of Bahrain's main Shia opposition group, Al-Wefaq, whose political chief Sheikh Ali Salman is serving a nine-year jail term for inciting violence.
Home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, Bahrain has been shaken by unrest since security forces crushed the 2011 protests demanding a constitutional monarchy and an elected prime minister.
Bahraini authorities have revoked the citizenship of the most prominent Shia cleric in the Sunni-ruled kingdom, accusing him of sowing sectarian divisions, the interior ministry said Monday.
Sheikh Isa Qassim, considered the spiritual leader of Bahrain's Shia majority, was alleged to have used his position to "serve foreign interests and promote... sectarianism and violence," the ministry said in a statement carried by BNA state news agency.
Qassim "adopted theocracy and stressed the absolute allegiance to the clergy," the ministry said, adding that he had been in continuous contact with "organisations and parties that are enemies of the kingdom."
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The decision follows the suspension of Bahrain's main Shia opposition group, Al-Wefaq, whose political chief Sheikh Ali Salman is serving a nine-year jail term for inciting violence.
Home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, Bahrain has been shaken by unrest since security forces crushed the 2011 protests demanding a constitutional monarchy and an elected prime minister.