Bahraini dissident cleric flown to UK in critical health condition

After months of indifference toward the deteriorating health condition of Senior Bahraini cleric Sheikh Isa Qassim, Bahraini monarch finally allowed Sheikh Qassim to be flown to UK for medical treatment.

He was taken to the airport with an ambulance on Monday morning to travel to UK where his cancer is supposed to be cured.

Bahrain's prominent Shia cleric has been under house arrest since May 2017 as Bahraini monarchy revoked his citizenship in June 2016.

Since February 2011, anti-regime protesters have held demonstrations in Bahrain regularly and many people have since been killed and arrested by king’s forces.

Protesters are demanding that the Al Khalifah dynasty come down from power and allow a just system representing all Bahrainis to be established.

Manama has gone to great lengths to clamp down on any sign of dissent. On March 14, 2011, troops from Saudi monarch and UAE were deployed to assist Bahrain in its crackdown.

Scores of people have lost their lives and hundreds of others sustained injuries or got arrested as a result of the crackdown. None of states in the southern side of the Persian Gulf are democratic and the monarchies in these countries severely suppress the calls for democracy in their countries thanks to unwavering supports from US which is the main arms supplier of the world selling weaponry to the crowns of the Persian Gulf.

Iranian Parliamentary Director General for International Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Monday that the Bahraini government is responsible for the deterioration of Sheikh Isa Qassim’s health conditions and all its consequences, said.

In a tweet on Monday night, Amir-Abdollahian warned Bahraini government about the health status of Sheikh Isa Qassim.

“As a result of enforcing Bahrain’s policy of suppression by Al-Khalifa's security forces and preventing the immediate and timely follow up of Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim treatment, the Bahraini government is responsible for health deterioration of this great Marja and its consequences,” the post reads.

“We pray for his recovery with concern,” he added.

YNG/PR