Sheikh Mohammed Al-Reish became the fourth Bahraini Shia cleric to be placed under arrest by Manama’s security apparatus as part of its widening Ashura crackdown.
Sheikh Mohammed Al-Reish became the fourth Bahraini Shia cleric to be placed under arrest by Manama’s security apparatus as part of its widening Ashura crackdown.
Throughout the week, the Bahraini prosecutor’s office extended the detention of three other clerics for 15 days pending an investigation.
At least two are being accused of ‘inciting hatred against the regime’.
The allegations reportedly relate to the content of their religious sermons delivered during the annual Ashura commemorations.
Ashura, which falls on September 20 this year, is the culmination of a 10-day mourning period during the Islamic lunar month of Muharram.
It is a major part of the religious calendar for Shiite communities for whom it represents a solemn occasion to mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, peace be upon him, in 680 AD.
