Bahrain opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman jailed

A Bahrain court jailed General Secretary of Al Wefaq Islamic Society Shaikh Ali Salman for four years after convicting him of inciting disobedience and hatred in the kingdom, a judicial source said. But the court acquitted him of the more serious charge of seeking to overthrow the monarchy and change the political system, the source added.

Salman, 49, was also found guilty of "insulting an official body," the source said, referring to the interior ministry. He was arrested on December 28. Salman was present for the verdict, which was delivered amid tight security outside the Manama court, witnesses said.