Manama: The Court of Appeals in Bahrain on Monday adjourned the trial of Ali Salman, the secretary general of Al Wefaq Society, to January 14.
The case was being reviewed by the court after both Ali Salman and the public prosecution appealed a sentence by a lower court in June.
The court convicted him of inciting non-compliance with the law, publicly inciting hatred – an act that had disturbed public peace – and insulting a statutory body.
However, the court dropped the charge of promoting political change through the use of force and threats.
According to the case documents, Ali Salman was convicted of the charges following investigations into recordings of public speeches and sermons that promoted extremist views, incited violence, and encouraged the use of force against the Kingdom’s authorities.
Ali Salman’s lawyers appealed the sentence and pleaded for his full acquittal.
The Public Prosecution said that it did not agree with the court’s decision to acquit the defendant of the charge of promoting political change using forceful means and threats and wanted to include in the charges.
It also challenged the length of the sentences, arguing that they did not reflect the seriousness of the offences.
