“Opposition parties that peacefully voice criticism of the government play a vital role in inclusive, pluralistic states and societies,” said a Wednesday statement by the State Department.
The head of Bahrain’s al-Wefaq Islamic Society, Salman was detained on December 28, after leading a protest against government-orchestrated polls last month that his opposition party boycotted.
Al-Wefaq had declared that it would not take part in the elections because it would further reduce parliamentary powers, arguing that voting districts were set to discriminate against the kingdom’s majority Muslim sect.
“We are concerned that this action against a senior leader of the opposition will only inflame tensions,” the US statement added.
Attorneys for the Bahraini cleric said he has been accused of serious charges, including calling for the ouster of the ruling royal family.
Bahrain, whose government has close ties with the US and Britain, has been gripped by a popular uprising against the ruling regime since 2011.
The protesters demand reforms and a more representative role in running the affairs of the country.
The United Nations human rights office in Geneva had earlier expressed serious concern about the detention, saying that a potentially lengthy prison sentence could be handed to the prominent cleric.
