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Bahrain court orders closure of main opposition group

Xinhua, July 17, 2016 Adjust font size:

Bahrain's High Civil Court on Sunday ordered the closure of Bahrain's main opposition group, Al Wefaq National Islamic Society and have its assets liquidated.

The society was dissolved following request by the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry.

The court found that Al Wefaq was "inciting violence, called for participation in illegal rallies and demonstrations which could have led to sectarianism and deviated from its role as a political society."

"The court has ordered that Al Wefaq National Islamic Society to be dissolved and liquidate its assets," said one of the judges following the court verdict

Lawyers representing the society failed to show up in the court on Sunday, but can lodge an appeal against the court ruling.

Al Wefaq was suspended on June 14, which its assets were frozen and offices were shut down after being taken to court over a number of offences.

The society's Secretary General Shaikh Ali Salman is serving nine years in prison for seeking to change Bahrain's government by force, inciting others to break the law, spreading sectarian hate and insulting a government body. Endit