Bahrain Mirror (Exclusive): The Bahraini village of Diraz witnessed intensified security measures since the early hours of Sunday morning (December 4, 2016). A helicopter hovered above the hometown of the Bahraini Shia spiritual leader Sheikh Isa Qassim while security was tightened at checkpoints held at the entrances of the area.

The checkpoints and security measures imposed on Diraz since around six months ago were heightened exceptionally today, paralyzing traffic. Activists on Twitter described these intensified security measures as "inhumane" as the vehicles of residents, students, workers and employees were stacked at Diraz checkpoints.

Reports say that security forces prevented foreign workers from entering the village to head to their jobs and that a number of store owners were not allowed entry to Diraz as well, noting that they were informed that they required entry passes.

A couple of days ago, photos surfaced of security forces firing tear gas canisters into the neighborhoods of Diraz during the late hours of the night with no known reasons. An Activist said that police have been on alert along the perimeter and exits of the village since yesterday, adding that they provoked the residents heading to their homes.

This coincided with the penultimate hearing of Ayatollah Qassim, who is being tried over charges of "money laundering" related to the Shiite religious obligation of Khums (alms) in a case raised by the government against him after it revoked his citizenship last June.

Also, the High Appeal Court today was set to issue its final sentence against the Bahraini opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman, after the cassation court overturned a 9-year prison sentence, referring the case once again to the appeal court. The court; however, adjourned the sentencing hearing until December 12, 2016.

Since Sheikh Isa Qassim's nationality was revoked, thousands of citizens have been protesting in an open-ended rally outside his home in Diraz. Since then, security authorities also imposed a siege on the village and repeatedly cut off communications. The rally is still being held to date.

Arabic Version