News / Persian Gulf

Bahraini regime forces raid houses across kingdom, detain many activists

Monday, 01 October 2018 5:15 PM [ Last Update: Monday, 01 October 2018 5:19 PM ]

In this file picture, Bahraini regime forces arrest a protester during demonstration against the ruling Al Khalifah regime in the village of Shakhura, west of Manama. (Photo by AFP)

Human rights activists say Bahraini regime forces have stormed dozens of houses and arrested tens of activists across the tiny Persian Gulf kingdom as the ruling Al Khalifah dynasty does not shy away from its heavy-handed clampdown on political dissidents and pro-democracy campaigners.

The activists, requesting not to be named, said the raids were carried out in the villages of al-Musalla, al-Sahla and Karzakan in addition to Jidhafs city and Juffair suburban neighborhood of the capital Manama, Arabic-language and independent Manama Post online newspaper reported.

Some of the detainees were later identified as Abdullah al-Sharaqi, Ali al-Awani, Musa Jaafar al-Madani and Ali al-Qamish.

Meanwhile, the opposition al-Wafa Islamic Movement condemned the new wave of arrests in Bahrain, describing it as in line with the Manama regime’s repressive measures against Shia Muslims during the mourning month of Muharram.

Thousands of anti-regime protesters have held demonstrations in Bahrain on an almost daily basis ever since a popular uprising began in the country in mid-February 2011.

They are demanding that the Al Khalifah regime relinquish power and allow a just system representing all Bahrainis to be established.

PressTV-Bahraini court hands down jail terms to 5 dissidents

A Bahraini court has handed down prison sentences to five anti-regime activists.

Manama has gone to great lengths to clamp down on any sign of dissent. On March 14, 2011, troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were deployed to assist Bahrain in its crackdown.

Scores of people have lost their lives and hundreds of others sustained injuries or got arrested as a result of the Al Khalifah regime’s crackdown.

On March 5, 2017, Bahrain’s parliament approved the trial of civilians at military tribunals in a measure blasted by human rights campaigners as being tantamount to imposition of an undeclared martial law countrywide.

Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah ratified the constitutional amendment on April 3 last year.

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