TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Representative of Sheikh Isa Qassim, the spiritual leader of Bahrain�s Shiite majority whose nationality has been revoked by the Al Khalifa regime, reiterated public support for the top religious figure and warned the Manama government of any offensive action against him.





Bahrain�s people will keep supporting Sheikh Qassim, Sheikh Abdullah Daqaq, Sheikh Qassim�s representative in Iran underlined on Saturday, addressing a press conference at the Tasnim head office in Tehran via videoconference.

He explained that Bahrainis are still participating in a sit-in protest outside the residence of Sheikh Qassim in the northwestern village of Diraz 47 days after revocation of the top cleric�s citizenship, though the area is surrounded by the security forces, barriers and barbed wire fences.

The demonstrators insist that they will never allow the authorities to make any offensive move against Sheikh Qassim, saying the regime forces will have to encounter the protesters before getting access to the cleric, Daqaq added.

Back in June, the Manama regime said the citizenship of Sheikh Qassim has been revoked, accusing him of sowing sectarian divisions.

The move drew widespread criticism worldwide.

Later in July, Sheikh Qassim�s planned trial was adjourned after the prominent figure did not appear in court.

Bahrain, a close ally of the US in the Persian Gulf region, has been witnessing almost daily protests against the Al Khalifa dynasty since early 2011, with security forces resorting to harsh measures against demonstrators.

Scores of Bahrainis have been killed and hundreds of others injured and arrested in the ongoing crackdown on the peaceful protests.

By Tasnim News Agency