Bahrain’s top leader on trial

MANAMA: Bahrain’s top opposition leader went on trial on Wednesday on charges of promoting the violent overthrow of the political system, a case that has riled his followers and inflamed unrest in the Gulf Arab state.
Sheikh Ali Salman’s detention after a protest rally in December sparked violent demonstrations in Bahrain, with protesters throwing iron bars and stones at security forces who fired tear gas, rubber bullets and bird shot.
Washington, a close ally of Manama, has expressed its concern over Salman’s arrest. Al-Wefaq Islamic Society, of which 49-year-old Salman is secretary-general, has called for civil disobedience in response to the trial.
Appearing in court on Wednesday, Salman denied all the charges and said he had been calling for reforms in Bahrain through legal and peaceful means, according to defence team member Mohammed Ahmed.