High court dissolves Al Wefaq

Manama, July 17 (BNA): The Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments announced that the High Civil Court on Sunday ruled the dissolution of Al Wefaq National Islamic Society and the liquidation of its funds. A ruling by a court had earlier suspended the society’s activities, shut down its headquarters and kept its assets into custody. Al Wefaq had been accused of illegal practices and of disrespecting the rule of law and the foundations of citizenship built on the principles of co-existence, tolerance and respect for the others. The society also provided an environment that embraced terrorism, extremism and violence and called for foreign interference in the national affairs. In its ruling, the High Civil Court today said the society repeatedly objected the legitimacy of Bahrain's constitution, supported violent action and posted pictures of terrorists brandishing sharp tools while claiming they were peaceful demonstrators. The society expressed its solidarity with suspects convicted of instigating hatred of the political regime, calling for a coup d'état and demeaning the judiciary and executive bodies. Al Wefaq society also called in many of its stances for foreign interference, objected the legitimacy of the legislative branch and constantly exploited places of worship to carry out its political activities. The court concluded that Al Wefaq swerved in the course of its political activities to the extent of incitement of violence and encouraged demonstrations and sit-ins that could lead to sectarian strife in the country. The society, therefore, had been in stark violation of constitutional rights and swerved in the course of carrying out its political activities in a clear violation of the Political Societies Law, the court said. The ministry stressed in its statement its keenness on the protection of national achievements and the consolidation of sound political practices in compliance with the rule of law, the safeguarding of national unity, the shunning of violence, terrorism and political sectarianism and the constructive contribution to the development process under the kingdom's ongoing reforms.