The police arrested Sheikh Qassim's son and son-in-law while they were accompanying the ambulance that transferred him to the hospital and carrying his medications, Bahrain Center for Human Rights confirmed.

The two were released after being arrested for about 6 hours by forces affiliated with the Interior Ministry.

Authorities have been surrounding Diraz village since June 20, 2016 and imposing house arrest on Sheikh Qassim since May 2017, after forcibly dispersing the peaceful sit-in staged outside his house.

The highest religious authority in Bahrain Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim was transferred on Sunday (June 24, 2018) to a hospital in an ambulance, after his health deteriorated.

Bahrain Center for Human Rights said in a statement that Qassin has been under house arrest for almost 400 days and he is denied enjoying his right to care except with a government permission and under strict security measures.

Sheikh Qassim was transferred to the hospital after his health deteriorated. While the reasons for his health deterioration have not been revealed yet, he has lost his ability to move and walk recently.