Bahrain’s highest court on Monday upheld a life sentence for Shiite opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman for spying for neighboring country Qatar.

According to Amnesty International, the case is based on conversations that Salman had in 2011 with the former Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, SSheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber bin Mohammed bin Thani Al Thani.

Salman was initially acquitted, but he was sentenced to life imprisonment in November 2018 by the court of appeals.

Amnesty International called the verdict a “bitter blow to freedom of expression.” Middle East Campaigns Director Samah Hadid said it “exposes the country’s justice system as a complete farce. The decision to uphold Sheikh Ali Salman’s conviction and life prison sentence following an unfair trial highlights the authorities’ determination to silence critical voices.”