A Bahraini opposition figure was set to return to the Gulf Arab country on Tuesday as Shia Muslim protesters filled the streets demanding the fall of the Sunni-dominated government. Hassan Mushaimaa, leader of the opposition Haq movement, said on his Facebook page on Monday that he wanted to see if the island nation's leadership was serious about dialogue or if it would arrest him.
He was due to arrive on Tuesday evening. Mushaimaa, who is based in London, is one of 25 people on trial since last year over an alleged coup plot but a statement by King Hamad bin Isa on Monday hinted that the trial would be shelved, allowing Mushaimaa an unhindered return.
State media said the king had ordered the release of convicted prisoners whose names would be released on Wednesday and a stop to ongoing court cases - opposition figures said they understood this to mean the trial will be shelved. It was not clear if this would be enough to bring opposition groups into a dialogue that King Hamad has asked his son, the crown prince, to conduct. "His royal highness continues to call for all Bahrainis to engage in this new process (of dialogue) to move away from polarisation and ensure that sectarianism does not take root," government spokeswoman Maysun Sabkar told a news conference.