Bahrain court sentences Al-Wefaq’s Sheikh Ali Salman to four years in jail

Bahrain’s Higher Criminal Court sentenced Sheikh Ali Salman, leader of the main opposition group Al-Wefaq, to four years in prison on 16 June, having found him guilty of inciting hatred, disturbing the public peace, inciting non-compliance with the law and insulting public institutions. In a hearing in Manama which lasted just a few minutes, Salman – who denied all charges and says the trial was politically motivated – was acquitted of a further charge, of promoting the overthrow of the political system by force and threat.