Bahrain detains man for "defamatory" sectarian Tweet

Published October 09, 2016

Officials in Bahrain say a man has been detained for writing a post on Twitter that may have contained "defamatory statements" against one of the country's main Muslim sects.

A statement published Sunday on the Interior Ministry's website said the case has been referred to prosecutors. Ridiculing religious sects in Bahrain carries a maximum punishment of one year in prison or a fine of up to $265.

Though the statement did not mention the man's name, outspoken Bahraini sports journalist Faisal Hayyat recently caused an uproar after posting a Tweet demeaning a controversial and historical figure who is revered among some Sunni Muslims.

Hayyat was previously detained 2011 for his role in Shiite-led anti-government protests demanding greater rights from the island-nation's Sunni monarchy.

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