An Iranian Foreign Ministry official has criticized Bahrain’s decision to expel the representative of Iraq-based Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, calling it a wrong and provocative act.

“The problem with some parties inside the Bahraini government is that they are not committed to effective political dialogue,” Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Thursday.

He added that continuation of police states in Bahrain will only complicate the situation.

Amir-Abdollahian also rejected claims that Iran is meddling in Bahrain, saying, “Tehran has never interfered in the affairs of regional countries, including Bahrain, and has always played a constructive role.”

Bahraini authorities expelled Hussein al-Najati on Wednesday, accusing him of not being transparent and lacking the official approval of the regime.

“As none of the required procedures had been taken, it was decided to deport Najati in accordance with the laws and regulations in Bahrain,” the Bahraini Interior Ministry said.

Shia opposition parties have condemned the cleric’s expulsion, saying the move violates international laws and human rights.

Najati was among the 31 opposition figures deprived of their Bahraini nationality by the regime in 2012.

On April 17, Amnesty International called on the Bahraini regime to stop the “intimidation” of the Shia cleric, saying Manama must “rescind” the decision.

Manama has launched a heavy-handed crackdown on anti-regime protesters since the uprising against the ruling Al Khalifa broke out across the Persian Gulf kingdom in February 2011.

Scores of Bahrainis have so far been killed and hundreds of others injured and arrested in the ongoing crackdown on peaceful demonstrations.

IA/MHB/SS