Growing Bahrain dissident repression is a sign of worsening rights in broader Middle East region

Cairo (dpa) – Bahrain’s recent crackdown on dissidents was not politically motivated, but was aimed at maintaining national stability, according to Information Minister Ali bin Mohammed al-Rumaihi. Last month, authorities revoked the nationality of Ayatollah Isa Qassim, Bahrain’s top Shiite cleric and spiritual leader of the largest opposition group, al-Wefaq. Al-Wefaq was itself shut down and…