Bahrain Mirror: Bahrain's High Criminal Court set March 14 as a date to issue its verdict in Sheikh Isa Qassim's case.

The authorities accuse Sheikh Qassim, his office head Sheikh Hussein Mahrous, and Mirza Al-Dirazi, of laundering and raising funds without licenses for performing Khums Shiite ritual.

During today's session (Monday, February 27, 2017), the prosecution demanded to issue the harshest sentence against Sheikh Qassim and the other suspects. Meanwhile, a lawyer assigned by the Ministry of Justice to defend Sheikh Mahrous demanded his acquittal and to stop the case and refer it to the constitutional court. The criminal court, however, rejected the lawyer's demand.

Sheikh Qassim has not attended any of his trial session and did not assign a lawyer to defend him. However, Sheikh Al-Mahrous was brought by force to the court after he was imprisoned over assembly case. The ministry of justice assigned him a lawyer, contrary to his desire.

Arabic Version