The council warned the Al Khalifa regime about the consequences of its violations should Sheikh Qassem was harmed in any way.

Bahrain’s Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society said on its Twitter account on Friday that regime troops stormed the house of Sheikh Qassem in Daraz.

Witnesses said dozens of troops surrounded the area and stormed the house by breaking the main gate.

The attack sparked widespread protest throughout the Bahraini capital with thousands of demonstrator pouring into streets and calling for his immediate freedom.

A senior member of the council, Sheikh Fadhel al-Zaki, told Al-Alam that considering the high position of Sheikh Qassem among Bahraini people, teh attack on his home hints new security threats in the country. “He is a symbolic figure for people in Bahrain and they have known him as a defender of their rights for several decades,” al-Zaki said adding that he had a great role in raising awareness in the nation.

He said Al Khalifa regime wants to “cross redlines” and added that “we hope they understand how dangerous their (regime) moves are”.

“Undesired consequences may result from such moves,” al-Zaki warned.

Bahrainis have been staging demonstrations since mid-February 2011, demanding political reform and a constitutional monarchy, a demand that later changed to an outright call for the ouster of the Al Khalifa family following its brutal crackdown on popular protests.

The Manama regime has arrested many rights activists, doctors and nurses since the uprising began.