More violent clashes in Bahrain following extended detention of opposition leader

More violent clashes in Bahrain following extended detention of opposition leader
By Euronews
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Bahraini police fire tear gas rounds at Shia youths after opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman is detained for a further week following his call for 'political change'.

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Demonstrators and security forces have clashed once again in Bahrain after the authorities extended the detention of the country’s main Shiite opposition leader by one week.

Tear gas rounds were fired as protesters hurled rocks and iron rods at police.

Sheik Ali Salman was remanded in custody on Sunday on suspicion of inciting violence and hatred to achieve political change.

Salman is head of the al-Wefag Islamic Society.
His arrest came after he led a rally to protest against last month’s election which the opposition boycotted.

His lawyers claim he has been accused of serious charges, including calling for the overthrow of the government – charges which could lead to imprisonment.

Bahrain has been gripped by tension since 2011 protests led by majority Shi’ite Muslims demanding reforms and a bigger role in running the Sunni-led country.

Angry Shia youths are increasingly turning to violence, accusing the ruling Al Khalifa familyof wanting to retain all powers.

Demonstrators have recently given way to bomb
attacks on the security forces. At least two people were killed in two separate attacks this month.

In Geneva, the United Nations human rights office said it was concerned at the detention and that a potentially lengthy prison sentence could be handed to Salman.

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