Bahraini opposition officials face legal action
Manama, July 10, 2014
Legal action could be taken against two senior Bahraini opposition members for violating a ministerial decree.
Al Wefaq National Islamic Society secretary general Shaikh Ali Salman and his assistant for political affairs Khalil Al Marzooq were questioned by the Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID) yesterday (July 9) for violating the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry's edict which regulates communication between political societies and foreign parties.
They reportedly met US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour Tom Malinowski at the American Embassy in Zinj without informing the Foreign Affairs Ministry, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.
They were released pending an investigation and the case was referred to the Public Prosecution.
"After interview, the two individuals left the headquarters of the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science. Their statements and paperwork will be referred to the Public Prosecution for further action," said an Interior Ministry statement.
Shaikh Salman confirmed on his Twitter account that he was questioned about his meeting with Malinowski, who was declared persona non grata on Monday.
Decree
The decree issued in September last year stipulates that the government should be informed three days before a Bahraini political society seeks a meeting with a foreign embassy, government body or any overseas political entity.
It also instructed that such meetings could only take place in the presence of a Foreign Affairs Ministry representative.
The GDN reported last month that the High Criminal Court acquitted Al Marzooq of inciting terrorism, having links with the Coalition of February 14 terror movement and abusing his position. - TradeArabia News Service
