Al-Khalifa Forces Intensify Arrests, Protests Sweep the Country
Bahraini Human Rights activists announced Tuesday that "Saudi-backed Bahraini forces are arresting protest leaders across the country and detaining them without charge in a bid to prevent disruption at the Formula One Grand Prix next weekend."
"Dozens of protesters have been arrested, with many expected to be held without charge until the race is over," activists said.
They further mentioned that "two American representatives of Human Rights Watch were detained on Sunday whilst attending a protest against the race."
"They were held for four hours along with Said Yousif, the deputy head of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), before being released."
Yousif said "they had fled the protests after the arrival of heavily-armed riot police, but had been targeted by the security services."
"I took the Americans to a close house and they came to us inside the home and sprayed something on our face - one of them beat me on my back and after that they took us to a police car," he told al-Akhbar Lebanese daily.
Meanwhile, anti-government protesters in Bahrain are expected to step up their campaign this week.
A demonstration, declared by one as "a huge rally", is planned for Tuesday in the village of al-Dair on the doorstep of the Gulf kingdom's international airport.
Wednesday, when most F1 personnel are due to arrive, what has been described by a risk assessment group as "a vehicular rally" is to take place along the two highways that lead up to the airport.
Of greater significance, however, is a demonstration scheduled for Thursday in Manama.
In London, two Bahraini activists on hunger strike have climbed up the walls of Bahrain Embassy in London to demand the release of jailed opposition leaders.
An Associated Press photographer saw two men waving a flag on the building's roof. On Twitter, a user identifying himself as Moosa Abd Ali said the activists had occupied "al-Khalifa den," a reference to Bahrain's ruling family.
A banner draped over the building carried pictures of hunger striking human rights activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and senior opposition leader Hassan Mushaima, both of whom were sentenced to life in prison in Bahrain after last year's pro-democracy protests there.
"Over 60 days on hunger strike," the banner read, in reference to al-Khawaja.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org
Comments
- Related News
US Senate Votes 15-3 for Arming Syrian Opposition
12 years ago
