Bahrain Mirror (Exclusive): British Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa Alistair Burt confirmed in his response to a Parliamentary question raised to him that his country has raised the case of Sheikh Ali Salman at senior levels with the Government of Bahrain.

The minister said it seems that Sheikh Ali Salman now has a further opportunity of appeal. He further stated "I discussed my concerns on the sentencing with the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Court of St James' on 5 November," adding "will continue to closely monitor the case as it makes its way through the judicial system." The minister stressed that "Should we have concerns we will raise them at an appropriately senior level with the Government of Bahrain."

As for the statements issued by Qatar, the minister said "It would be inappropriate for me to comment on statements by the State of Qatar concerning the Kingdom of Bahrain."

MP Tom Brake had raised a written question to the Foreign and Commonwealth office regarding what assessment the Government has made of the validity of the reported statement by the Government of Qatar denying communications with Bahraini political opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman.

Arabic Version