Al Khalifa regime fearful of regional, internal changes: Analyst

Press TV has conducted an interview with Jalal Fairooz, former Bahraini legislator in London, for his insights into the Amnesty International’s demand for the immediate release of Bahraini opposition cleric Sheikh Ali Salman from the Al Khalifa regime’s jail.

The following is a rough transcription of the interview.

Press TV: Over the past months, despite the criticism from organizations like Amnesty International etc, we’ve seen the Bahraini regime use its judiciary and security forces to calm down heavily on people who are demanding their basic rights. What do you make of it?

Fairooz:  Well, it’s obvious that the regime fears of the near future of what is coming up, because after the changes in the region and the agreement of the nuclear file of Iran and the non-victory actually failure of the Saudis in Yemen and the changes which happen now in Iraq. The regime wants to crackdown very harshly on the popular movement, on the opposition, just to make sure that it can have some strong cards in case things come to a negotiation table or a dialogue. And on the other hand, of course tomorrow is a very significant day and of course today we have seen lots of representatives of countries in Geneva conference, condemning Bahrain and asking for the release of Sheikh Ali Salman, including the United States’ representative, who straightforward said that it is required that the regime releases Sheikh Ali Salman. Now, tomorrow what will happen, it will be probably three scenarios. The regime might go against the requirements and it will sentence Sheikh Ali Salman to have him as hostage, but probably will have another chance for Sheikh Ali Salman in the appealing court. The second scenario is that the regime would go for little bit of ease and it will consider that all the six months which Sheikh Ali Salam has spent, would be enough and release him. The third scenario will be to go and have some concession and of course sentence Sheikh Ali Salman and maybe it will give some chance for future.

Press TV: Why is it so necessary for the regime to keep Sheikh Salman locked up behind bars?

Fairooz: For two reasons. First, because Sheikh Ali Salman with his all charisma and leadership to the popular movement would move the people more if he’s out and they want just to keep him away. And the other reason is that they wanted to show the world that they have the power and show the opposition that they can hold Sheikh Ali Salman and the other prominent opposition figures behind bars. Just in case the opposition wants to come to any negotiation, then they will have Sheikh Ali Salman as a hostage and that is the way the regime is thinking right now.

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