Iraq Holds Talks With Bahrain on Release of Opposition: Parliamentarian

Iraq has held talks with Bahrain on the release of Ali Salman, leader of the Shiite opposition party Al-Wefaq arrested in Bahrain on charges of "inciting violent change of regime through threats and illegal practices," as well as "public insult of the Interior Ministry".

MANAMA, January 3 (Sputnik) — Iraq has held talks with Bahrain on the release of Ali Salman, leader of the Bahraini Shiite opposition party Al-Wefaq, a member of the Iraqi parliament Zahir Abadi stated Saturday.

"Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iraq through diplomatic channels held talks with Bahrain to find a solution that would persuade Bahrain to release opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman and cancel restrictions imposed on him," Abadi, National Reform Movement party representative, was quoted as saying by Manama Post.

The parliamentarian also added that the results of these talks would be soon announced.

On December 28, Sheikh Ali Salman was arrested in Bahrain. On Monday, charges of "inciting violent change of regime through threats and illegal practices," as well as "public insult of the Interior Ministry" were brought against Salman. The move aroused concern of the United Nations, the European Union and the United States.