The political assistant of the Secretary General of Islamic Wefaq association Khalil al-Marzouq has been detained on allegations of "promoting terrorist acts," a move slammed by the opposition as a "dangerous escalation."

The political assistant of the Secretary General of Islamic Wefaq association Khalil al-Marzouq has been detained on allegations of "promoting terrorist acts," a move slammed by the opposition as a "dangerous escalation."

Marzouq has been ordered held for 30 days for further investigation, Nayef Yousif, head of public prosecution, said in a statement.

He was referred to public prosecution on Tuesday, the judicial authorities said in a statement.

Prosecutors allege that Marzouq is "affiliated with (a) terrorist organization", the statement added, naming the February 14 Revolution Youth Coalition.

Bahraini judicial authorities claimed that Marzouq was "speaking at many forums, inciting and promoting terrorist acts, advocating principles which incite such acts, supporting violence committed by the terrorist coalition, and legally justifying criminal activities."

The English-language statement also alleged that he incited "such acts" in his last speech on September 6.

Al-Wefaq described Marzouq's arrest "and keeping him as a hostage" a "serious and dangerous escalation taken by the regime in Bahrain."

It denounced "the aggressive, baseless, and fake accusations" against Marzouq.

Led by the influential Al-Wefaq, the opposition is taking part in a national dialogue that began on February 10 aimed at ending the country's crisis, while keeping up street protests to call for reform.

At least 80 people have been killed in Bahrain since the beginning of the revolution February 2011, according to the International Federation for Human Rights.