Protests Demand Release of Marzouk, Resignation of Khalifa

Local Editor

More than 10,000 Bahrainis marched in the village of Jannusan, west of Manama, on Friday to demand the release of Khalil al-Marzooq, a former deputy speaker of parliament.

Peaceful demonstrators waved Bahraini flags and chanted "Revolution until victory" and "We will not forget the martyrs". There were no reports of violence. The rally was organized by the opposition.

Marzooq, who is the secretary general of Bahrain's main opposition bloc al-Wefaq, was arrested on September 17 on charges of "inciting and advocating terrorism".
Moreover, the peaceful protesters also called for the kingdom's long-time prime minister to resign.

The demonstrators said Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa's resignation will pave the way for the establishment of a democratically-elected government.

They also called for an end to the dictatorship of the ruling al-Khalifa regime and sectarian measures taken against the country's Shia majority.
The Friday protest came one day after Bahraini forces attacked similar anti-regime demonstrations in Manama and nearby villages.

Several protesters were injured on Thursday after Saudi-backed regime forces fired tear gas and live rounds to disperse the demonstrators, who were chanting slogans demanding the release of political prisoners and the fall of the ruling al-Khalifa family.

Protesters say they will continue holding anti-regime demonstrations until their demand for the establishment of a democratically-elected government and an end to rights violations are met.

Source: Websites