Bahrain Mirror (Exclusive): Amnesty International denounced on Monday (August 24, 2015) the trial of Ebrahim Sharif, former Secretary-General of the National Democratic Action Society (Wa'ad), as "absurd", describing it as one of the Bahraini government's attempts "to quash the slightest sign of political dissent."

"Speaking freely is not a crime - the fact that Ebrahim Sharif is going on trial for giving a speech calling for reform is absurd. The Bahraini authorities are clearly punishing him merely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression," said Said Boumedouha, Acting Middle East and North Africa Director in a statement before Sharif's trial.

"This is yet another example of the Bahraini government attempting to quash the slightest sign of political dissent. All the charges against him should be dropped," Boumedouha further stated.

"The allegations that Ebrahim Sharif's calls for peaceful political and economic reform amount to incitement to hatred or incitement to overthrow the regime are ludicrous. Any trial based on such spurious charges should not be allowed to go ahead," stressed Boumedouha.

For his part, Ebrahim Sharif denied in his first court hearing the new charges of inciting hatred against the regime and said that the charges are based on "assumptions" and an attempt to "try intentions."

Arabic Issue