The Bahraini regime is targeting the president and leaders of the Islamic Clerics Council, the largest religious foundation for Shia Muslims in Bahrain.

Last night, the houses of Sayed Majeed Al-Mishal and Sheikh Mohammed Almansi, both leaders in the Clerics Council, were surrounded by security forces and militias with armored vehicles along, to deliver summons requesting them to appear at the Central Interrogations Department (CID) this morning.

However, the CID deprived the clerics from legal access during interrogation although their lawyer was present.

The direct targeting of the religious leaders comes just hours after the King’s talks with the Vatican about religious tolerance in Bahrain. On ground, however, systematic religious persecution continues to be practiced against clerics.

The Islamic Clerics Council was dissolved through a politically-motivated verdict some months ago. This was followed by the deportation of Ayatollah Sheikh Hussain Alnajati, a prominent spiritual leader.