(MENAFN- The Peninsula) A court in Bahrain Tuesday jailed prominent Shia opposition leader Ali Salman, whose arrest drew US and Iranian condemnation and sparked protests across the tiny but strategic Gulf kingdom.
Salman was sentenced to four years for inciting disobedience and hatred in the Sunni Muslim-ruled state, a judicial source said.
But he was acquitted of the more serious charge of seeking to overthrow the monarchy and change the political system.
Salman, 49, was also found guilty of "insulting an official body", the source said, referring to the interior ministry.
His arrest on December 28 drew condemnation from both the United States and Iran, as well as human rights groups.
It also triggered demonstrations across the kingdom.
Salman was present for the verdict, which was delivered amid tight security at the Manama court, witnesses said.
He heads the Al-Wefaq Shiite political association, which once held the most seats in parliament.
Its 18 MPs walked out in February 2011 in protest at violence used against demonstrators during nationwide pro-democracy protests.
The group boycotted the last election, held in November.
Al-Wefaq denounced the "false" ruling against Salman and demanded his release.
"We reject anything less than a non-guilty verdict for Sheikh Ali Salman. We consider this a false and injust ruling that is based on an illogical case and lacks sound foundations," a statement said.
Keeping Salman behind bars means "jeopardising any solution and perpetuating the political crisis", the statement added.
It criticised the verdict as an "irresponsible decision that reflects the regime's rejection of any political solution or serious dialogue".
Rights groups also criticised Tuesday's ruling.
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