Bahrain’s main opposition movement, Al-Wefaq, says its leader has been arrested after a day of questioning at the interior ministry.

According to the ministry Sheikh Ali Salman was arrested and detained for questioning about “violating certain aspects of law”. His lawyer says he has been accused of “inciting hatred against the regime”.

Salman was who joined Shia-dominated protests in the capital on 26 December has been part of opposing voices calling for the dismissal of the government.

In a statement, Al-Wefaq described Salman’s arrest as “a perilous and arbitrary adventure which will seriously complicate the political and security scene in Bahrain”.

Salman, who was confirmed as the group’s head in its general congress on 26 December, will see his case being referred to the public prosectutors according to the interior ministry.

Al-Wefaq was founded in 2002, a year after Bahrain announced political reforms in which the country became a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament.