Top Bahraini cleric to face another hearing on February 12

Bahrain’s judiciary has scheduled another hearing session in the trial of top Shia cleric Sheikh Issa Qassim for next month amid angry anti-regime rallies across the kingdom.

On Monday, a judicial source announced that the next hearing will take place on February 12. A court session was held in the capital Manama earlier in the day in the absence of Sheikh Qassim and under tight security measures, AFP reported.

Ahead of the hearing, protesters held numerous demonstrations in solidarity with the opposition cleric in several villages around the capital.

“Over 150,000 Bahrainis rallied last night (Sunday night) in support of Sheikh Issa Qassim in 48 regions across Bahrain,”
The protesters chanted, “With our soul, with our blood, we sacrifice ourselves for you Qassim,” while carrying pictures of the spiritual leader of the banned al-Wefaq National Islamic Society.