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Bahrain opposition leader cleared of terrorism charges, says lawyer

Arab World Materials 25 June 2014 15:11 (UTC +04:00)
A senior member of Bahrain's Shi'ite opposition was cleared of terrorism charges on Wednesday, one of his defense lawyers said, a move that could help troubled talks with the government to end months of sporadic unrest
Bahrain opposition leader cleared of terrorism charges, says lawyer

A senior member of Bahrain's Shi'ite opposition was cleared of terrorism charges on Wednesday, one of his defense lawyers said, a move that could help troubled talks with the government to end months of sporadic unrest, Reuters reported.

Khalil al-Marzouq, deputy leader of the al-Wefaq party, was one of a number of opposition figures and activists detained since majority Shi'ites began protests in 2011 to demand political reform and a greater role in running the country.

Defense lawyer Galila al-Sayed said a court had acquitted Marzouq on charges of inciting terrorism in a number of speeches and had removed a travel ban on him.

Al Wefaq, which says it advocates non-violent activism, boycotted reconciliation talks with the Sunni-led government after Marzouq's arrest in September.

Bahrain's crown prince pulled the talks back from the brink in January by organizing a meeting with al-Wefaq's leader Sheikh Ali Salman.

Protests and clashes continue in the island kingdom that hosts the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet and is seen in the West as a key regional ally.

Bahrain passed strict laws against what it called acts of terrorism in 2013, setting tougher penalties including longer prison terms and the stripping of Bahraini nationality.

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