Khalil al-Marzooq


Khalil al-Marzooq is a Bahraini Shi'a politician and former member of the Council of Representatives. During his time in office, he served as first deputy chairman.
On February 14, 2011, al-Marzooq and 17 other MPs from Al Wefaq, the main Shi'a Islamist opposition party, resigned from their seats in parliament. Following the quelling of the unrest by the government, al-Marzooq led negotiations with the government in the Bahrain national dialogue, but he and the four other delegates from Al Wefaq withdrew from negotiations on July 17.
Al-Marzooq was arrested on September 18, 2013 for his criticism of the government. Amnesty International designated him a prisoner of conscience and called for his immediate release. A Bahraini court acquitted him for the charges of "inciting terrorism" and belonging to a terrorist organization on June 25, 2014.
On 1 February 2015, al-Marzooq was interviewed by the newly launched al-Arab News Channel, after which the channel suspended broadcasting.