Agencies/Manama

Protesters clashed with police yesterday near the house of Bahrain’s opposition leader Ali Salman, who is in detention for alleged anti-government incitement.
The violence erupted in Bilad al-Qadeem village, outside Manama, where police fired teargas to disperse Salman’s backers who wanted to hold a rally in a show of solidarity, witnesses said.
No casualties were reported.
The country’s leading opposition groups have called for a march tomorrow to demand the release of Salman, who is the head of the Shia Al Wefaq movement.
Salman was arrested on Sunday following 10 hours of questioning, his lawyers said.   
On Tuesday, prosecutors ordered Salman detained for another week pending further questioning.
He faces charges including instigating hatred of the regime, calling for its overthrow, insulting executive and judicial authorities, and participating in marches hurting the economy, according to his lawyers.
The United Nations and the United States have expressed concerns about Salman’s arrest.
Iran urged Bahrain yesterday to free the opposition leader.
“We are extremely worried about his situation,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham told reporters.
“We want him to be released,” she said.
“We believe that the security measures Bahrain’s government has adopted to solve its internal issues are wrong,” Afkham added.
Iran has been accused of interfering in Bahrain’s affairs ever since authorities in the kingdom quelled month-long protests led by Al Wefaq in 2011 seeking an elected government.
Authorities have repeatedly rejected Al Wefaq’s demand for an elected prime minister to replace the current government, which is dominated by the royal family.



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