BAHRAINE’S opposition Shiite group Al-Wefaq was served with a three-month court ban yesterday, effectively preventing it from engaging with next month’s parliamentary elections.

Defence lawyer Abdullah al-Shamlawi said that the ruling means that it cannot organise rallies and press conferences, issue statements or use its own offices.

Al-Wefaq announced earlier this month that it was boycotting the November 22 elections.

It does not feel that the government has engaged in genuine reconciliation efforts following widespread protests directed at the Sunni monarchy that began in 2011 and have been largely backed by the kingdom’s majority Shiites.

The group slammed the court decision and vowed to “continue the struggle for democratic transition and justice.

“Al Wefaq considers the measure irrational and irresponsible,” it said, accusing the Western-backed monarchy of “ruling with an iron fist” and attempting to crush the political life of the country.

Al-Wefaq leader Ali Salman said that he was surprised by the verdict and would appeal.