Bahrain court dissolve Al Wefaq Society

Manama : A Bahraini appeals court on Thursday upheld an order dissolving the country's main opposition group.

A lower court had ordered the dissolution of the Al Wefaq National Islamic Society in July over accusations including inciting violence and encouraging demonstrations which threatened to spark sectarian strife in the kingdom.

The society was ordered to be dissolved by another court for breaching the local Society laws. Earlier, the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments had requested the court to expedite the hearing of the appeal. The court invited both parties to submit their closing arguments within 10 days before the verdict announcement date. 

The High Civil Court ordered in July this year for the liquidation of the Society into the State’s treasury after it was found guilty of breaching the Political Society laws and supporting terrorist groups. 

The case was filed by the Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa. In its ruling, the High Civil Court said that the Society repeatedly objected to the legitimacy of Bahrain’s constitution, supported violent action and posted pictures of terrorists brandishing sharp tools while claiming they were peaceful demonstrators. 

It affirmed that the Society expressed its solidarity with suspects convicted of instigating hatred of the political regime, calling for a coup d’état, demeaning the judiciary and executive bodies.