Bahrain Mirror: The Bahraini High Criminal Court held on Sunday (August 14, 2016) the second trial hearing of Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim, and other defendants, over charges of money laundering and raising money without license.

Sheikh Qassim and the third defendant didn't attend the hearing, while the second defendant in the case, Sheikh Hussain Al-Mahroos, detained by the authorities, was brought to court. The court scheduled the next hearing on September 15, 2016, in order to call the defendant Sheikh Isa Qassim.

The first hearing was held on Wednesday (July 27, 2016) and only lasted a few minutes. During the court session, the judge called Sheikh Isa Qassim's name and others as well, while the prosecution attorney said that an employee was assigned to inform Sheikh Qassim of the hearing, yet his son refused to receive the notice. The prosecution further claimed that the Sheikh's son threatened the employee that if he returned, he would be attacked.

The Bahraini authorities didn't allow human rights activist Abdulnabi Al-Ekri from entering the courtroom to follow the events of the hearing.

Arabic Version