Will Bahrain use military trials against Shiite leader's supporters?
Bahrain recently amended its constitution to expand military courts' jurisdiction, perhaps in anticipation of fiery protests once a verdict is announced in the trial of Sheikh Isa Qassim.
Bahrain's Supreme Criminal Court once again has delayed its potentially explosive verdict in the money-laundering case against Shiite spiritual leader Sheikh Isa Qassim, and authorities could be planning to use military courts to prosecute his supporters if violence erupts once the decision is announced.
The court was to issue its ruling March 14, but instead adjourned until May 7. Qassim’s defense lawyer, Abdul Rahman Khashram, told Al-Monitor he does not expect the May session to be delayed and that so far, there has been no order to arrest Qassim, who has denied all charges. On Feb. 27, the court had postponed the ruling until March 14.
During trial proceedings, Bahraini authorities accused Qassim of establishing groups affiliated with a radical sectarian political group linked to Iran and Iraq, and of misappropriating funds and smuggling them to Iraq and Iran since 2009. The funds in question include $10 million found in an account under his name at the Future Bank in Bahrain.
Qassim's followers have protested his situation for almost a year, gathering in front of his house in al-Daraz village in northwest Bahrain to express solidarity with him. On June 20, the Ministry of Interior stripped Qassim of his nationality, accusing him of promoting violence and sectarianism as well as conspiring with foreign governments.
