MANAMA, Bahrain – Bahrain's main Shiite opposition party says authorities have detained a prominent human rights lawyer as part of a widening crackdown on Shiite activists.
The Wefaq party says Mohamed al-Tajer was taken into custody Saturday. Al-Tajer has represented hundreds of clients against the state, including Shiite activists accused of plotting against the Sunni monarchy.

Bahrain's rulers imposed martial law last month in attempts to crush a Shiite-led uprising in the strategic Gulf island kingdom, home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet. Hundreds of Shiite political figures, doctors and others have been detained.
A Saudi-led military force is in Bahrain to support the ruling dynasty.