Bahraini Authorities Arrest Shia Cleric for Al-Nimr Protest

Bahraini security forces have reportedly arrested a prominent Shia cleric who attended the protests that followed the execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr by Saudi Arabia.

Bahraini police have arrested Shia cleric Sheikh Ahmad al-Jidhafsi for taking part in protests following the execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr by Saudi Arabia on New Year’s Day.

Iran’s PressTV quoted Bahrain’s Center for Human Rights, which reported that al-Jidhafsi was arrested on Sunday. Opposition group ‘February 14 Revolution Youth Coalition’ criticized the arrest and its impact on escalating sectarianism and religious conflict.

Al-Jidhafsi is the second prominent Shia cleric to be detained by the Bahraini authorities, after opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman was arrested in December 2014.

Bahrain’s Interior Ministry also stated on Sunday it had taken a number of people into custody for social media posts that criticized Saudi Arabia’s executions.

Saudi Shai cleric Al-Nimr was one of 47 people executed by the Saudi authorities on New Year’s Day, having been arrested in 2012 and charged with instigating unrest. He was a vocal critic of the kingdom’s radical Wahhabi ideology, and its treatment of the Shia minority. 

The execution has sparked public protests across the region, and led to attacks on the Saudi embassy in Iran. As a result, Saudi Arabia has cut its diplomatic ties with Iran; its allies Bahrain and Sudan followed suit, and the UAE has downgraded its ties.

The Iranian government responded by saying that Saudi Arabia is increasing conflict in the region and trying to divert attention from domestic problems by blaming others.