Bahrain Swoops on Opposition Youth Group

Local Editor

Bahrain announced on Thursday the arrest of leading members of the opposition February 14 Revolution Youth Coalition, an influential opposition group.

"After an extensive investigation, several members of the February 14 "terrorist" organization were identified... (and) the main actors who took part in criminal acts have been arrested," the interior ministry said.

The group has been the main motor behind an uprising that began in 2011 to demand more rights from the ruling al-Khalifa dynasty.

The ministry said the group's spiritual leader is Hadi al-Mudaressi, a leading cleric living in the Iraqi holy city of Karbala, and claimed he "provided divisive sectarian support to the organization."

It named 11 of those arrested, claiming they had played prominent roles in the coalition inside Bahrain, and said other members were still being sought.
The ministry claimed that local members of the group mainly recruit people who coordinate with subgroups that allegedly plan and carry out bombings and transfer weapons.

They also oversee media relations and select "agents to be sent abroad for training," and secure houses that shelter wanted suspects.

The ministry also named 13 people it said were leading the coalition from abroad, some of whom are based in London.
Among them is Saeed Abdulnabi al-Shahabi, "who is responsible for coordination with Iranian leaders."

Shahab was sentenced to life in prison in absentia.

"They frequently travel between Iran, Iraq and Lebanon to obtain financial and moral support as well as weapons training," the ministry said.
"And they contact leaders in Iran to receive direct financial support and field instructions," it claimed.

"The information presented shows the active role in incitement and terror acts and the support that is provided by extremist religious and political leaders from outside and inside Bahrain," the statement added.

The statement also announced the arrests of many charged with plotting various attacks, such as during the kingdom's holding of the Grand Prix Formula One race in April.

Four were arrested for allegedly planning attacks on various locations, including US interests in Bahrain -- home to the US Fifth Fleet.

The kingdom did not say when any of the arrests announced on Thursday were made.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team