Islam Times - German Foreign Ministry: Prosecution of Sheikh Isa Qassim and Al-Wefaq dissolution threaten to Polarise Bahraini society

German Foreign Ministry: Prosecution of Sheikh Isa Qassim and Al-Wefaq dissolution threaten to Polarise Bahraini society

Islam Times - The German Foreign Ministry has expressed great concern over a Bahraini court verdict (issued on July 17, 2016), dissolving the largest opposition political group in Bahrain, Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, and charges raised against the Shia spiritual leader in the country, Sheikh Isa Qassim.

On these most recent developments in the Gulf kingdom, a German Federal Foreign Office spokesperson issued a statement.

"We have noted with unease the dissolution of the Bahraini opposition party Al Wefaq with yesterday's ruling by the High Civil Court in Bahrain. The charge brought by the public prosecution office against Shia cleric Sheikh Isa Qassim also gives us great cause for concern," read the statement.

"These measures targeting the opposition threaten to further polarise Bahraini society," the spokesperson further stressed in the statement. "They also raise serious questions with regard to freedom of opinion and association as well as the rule of law in Bahrain," added the spokesperson.

"We appeal to the Bahraini Government to involve the country's opposition in a national dialogue," concluded the statement.

On 17 July, the High Civil Court in Bahrain dissolved the country’s largest opposition party, Al Wefaq. Al Wefaq’s assets have been frozen.

Previously, on 15 June 2016, the Bahraini Administrative Court suspended Al Wefaq at the request of the Ministry of Justice.

Al Wefaq has 45 days to appeal against the decision to the highest civil court. There is then the possibility of a revision by the Bahraini Court of Cassation.

The public prosecution office has also brought charges against Bahrain’s leading Shia cleric, Sheikh Isa Qassim. He is accused of illegal fundraising and money‑laundering. The trial is due to begin in August.