Iran Criticizes Bahrain for Expelling Senior Cleric

(FNA)- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian strongly criticized the Bahraini government for its decision to expel the representative of Iraq-based Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, calling it a wrong and provocative act.

Bahraini authorities expelled Hussein al-Najati, Ayatollah Sistani's representative in Manama, on Wednesday after accusing him of not being transparent and lacking the official approval of the regime.

"The problem with some parties inside the Bahraini government is that they are not committed to effective political dialogue,” 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."

On Wednesday, the Bahraini interior ministry announced that "as none of the required procedures had been taken, it was decided to deport Najati in accordance with the laws and regulations in Bahrain".

Opposition parties 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 Shiite cleric, saying Manama must “rescind” the decision.

The Al Khalifa regime has launched a heavy-handed crackdown on anti-regime protesters since the uprising against its ruling broke out across the tiny Persian Gulf state 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.