Bahrain shuts down main opposition group headquarters

A Bahrain court on Tuesday announced a verdict to dissolve Al Wefaq National Islamic Society, the main opposition society, and freeze all its activities.

The Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry said in a statement that an urgent verdict was issued by the High Administrative Appeals Court to suspend the society and take control of all its funds.

"According to the urgent verdict, the headquarters of Al Wefaq National Islamic Society will be shut down and all its funds will be seized by the ministry," said a statement.

It is still not clear whether the society will appeal the court verdict.

The court earlier found Al Wefaq guilty of breaking laws, governing political societies, and failing to meet a one-month deadline to hold a fresh internal election.

In July 2014, the ministry filed a suit against the society, saying that it must rectify its "illegal status following the annulment of four general assemblies for lack of a quorum and the non-commitment to the public and transparency requirements for holding them." Endit