Sheikh Isa Qassim Returns Home Arrest after Surgery

Supporters say a prominent Shiite cleric, Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim, who lost his citizenship and remains under house arrest in Bahrain has returned home after undergoing surgery.

Sheikh Isa Qassim returned to his home in Diraz on Sunday. He was hospitalized after suffering from a hernia.

Sheikh Maytham al-Salman, of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, said Sheikh Isa Qassim may need further surgeries.

The cleric, known as the spiritual leader of the country’s Shia Muslim majority, has been hailed as a source of inspiration for their peaceful demonstrations against the ruling Al Khalifa regime.

The monarchy has killed scores of people and imprisoned hundreds of people among the protesters, who are campaigning for an elected government and a stop to discrimination against the Shias.

Back in June, Sheikh Qassim faced potential expulsion from Bahrain after authorities revoked his citizenship, accusing him of “illegal fund collections, money laundering and helping terrorism.” He has strongly rejected all the allegations.

source:washingtonpost