Bahrainis protest in support of Sheikh Qassim

Bahraini people have staged fresh rallies in solidarity with prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Isa Qassim ahead of his trial. 

Protesters in Abu Saibah village called on the Manama regime to end its suppressive measures against the cleric and other activists. Meanwhile, a group of Bahraini scholars has called for nationwide sit-ins and rallies in support of Sheikh Isa Qassim. The cleric is scheduled to stand trial on May 21. He was stripped of his nationality by the Bahraini regime last year for what Manama says using his position to serve foreign interests and promote sectarianism and violence. Sheikh Isa Qassim has denied the allegations as baseless. Bahraini authorities have stepped up their crackdown on anti-regime activists who have been protesting against the ruling Al Khalifah dynasty on a daily basis since 2011.