A prominent Bahraini Shia cleric has condemned a court ruling on the dissolution of the Islamic Scholars Council of Bahrain.

Sheikh Issa Qassim said in a Friday speech that the politically-motivated court ruling was insane and childish.

The Bahraini cleric also stated that the court ruling had already been decided and that the announcement of it was only delayed.

Sheikh Qassim added that the move was an insult to religion and the people of Bahrain.

Bahrain’s Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs dissolved the Shia council on January 29.

The ruling came after Justice Minister Sheik Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa filed a lawsuit against the council, calling for the confiscation of its assets.

Human rights groups say it was part of efforts by the Al Khalifa regime to silence the voice of dissent.

Following the court ruling, Bahrain’s main opposition movement, al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, also censured the move and stated the “regime has declared war on Shias.”

Since 2011, anti-regime demonstrations have been held almost every day in Bahrain.

On March 14, 2011, troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were called in to assist the Bahraini regime in its crackdown on peaceful protesters. According to local sources, scores of people have been killed and hundreds arrested.

International human rights organizations have repeatedly slammed the Manama regime for the excessive use of force against peaceful protests.

DB/HSN