TEHRAN – Iranian lawmakers in a statement on Tuesday deplored the al-Khalifa regime for stripping Shiite cleric Ayatollah Sheikh Issa Qassim of citizenship rights as a flagrant violation of human rights.

“The Bahraini statesmen’s unwise measure against senior cleric Ayatollah Sheikh Issa Qassim is not only a violation of human and citizenship rights but also a violation of the Shiite’s right of freedom of religion as the move is against their religious and prominent leader," the statement said on Tuesday, ISNA reported.

“There is no doubt that this inhumane act will add fuel to the Islamic Revolution's fire in Bahrain and will initiate a destructive uprising against the puppet regime ruling the country,” it added.

SP/AK