Bahrain Mirror (Exclusive): The State Department of the United States called on the Government of Bahrain to drop charges against the president of Bahrain Centre for Human Rights and prominent human rights activist Nabeel Rajab, and demanded that the authorities release him immediately.

The US State Department acting deputy spokesperson, Jeff Rathke, said: "We certainly are deeply concerned about the arrest of Nabeel Rajab on new charges related to posting information on social media," adding that the US is "actively monitoring this case."

During the state department's daily press briefing held on April 9, 2015, Rathke also stated: "We urge the Government of Bahrain to drop these charges against Mr. Rajab and to release him immediately."

The deputy spokesperson also stressed that "the United States does not agree with prosecution of individuals for crimes of peaceful expression. We believe that societies are strengthened and not threatened by peaceful expressions of opinion and dissent."