US: Bahrain Opposition Leader's Arrest Could Stoke Unrest

US: Bahrain Opposition Leader's Arrest Could Stoke Unrest
Sat Jan 3, 2015 14:52:47

The US State Department has warned that the detention of Bahraini opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman, who was arrested on Sunday after organizing a protest against elections in November, could provoke more tensions.

“Opposition parties that peacefully voice criticism of the government play a vital role in inclusive, pluralistic states and societies,” the State Department said in a statement Wednesday.

“We are concerned that this action against a senior leader of the opposition will only inflame tensions.”

The UN human rights office in Geneva earlier said it was concerned that Salman could be given a lengthy sentence for his political activism.

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