News / Persian Gulf

Bahraini police arrest more anti-regime activists

Tuesday, 12 February 2019 4:54 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 12 February 2019 7:32 PM ]

The file photo shows Bahraini security forces in Diraz on May 23, 2017. (By AP)

Bahraini police have arrested nearly 20 anti-regime activists in coordinated raids as part of the Al Khalifah regime’s crackdown on political dissidents.

According to Arabic-language Lua Lua television network on Tuesday, a number of pro-democracy campaigners were detained in Sitra, located five kilometers south of the capital Manama.

Several other people were arrested in Diraz, Bouri, A'ali, Sanad, and Akar in 24 hours.

The fresh raids came days after a religious event held by Bahrain's majority Shia Muslims was targeted by regime forces. Security forces on Saturday destroyed signs marking the martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Fatima Zahra, the daughter of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him).

Local media said on Saturday security forces removed black flags and banners put up in public places to commemorate the occasion overnight. Hazrat Fatima is an enormously revered figure, especially for Shia Muslims who view her as the foremost role model for women.

The file photo shows Bahraini protesters during an anti-regime rally in Sitra on January 15, 2018.

The Bahraini regime has razed to the ground Shia mosques and worship places without any prior warning in recent months.

On Thursday, a non-governmental rights group said Bahrain had revoked the citizenship of hundreds of people after convicting them in relation to allegations of involvement in acts of terror.

PressTV-Bahrain strips 815 activists of citizenship: Group

A Bahraini human rights group says the Manama regime has revoked the citizenship of more than 810 dissidents since 2012.

In early February, the United Nations’ human rights agency said prominent Bahraini opposition figure Sheikh Ali Salman had been given a life sentence by the regime because of his political viewpoint. Salman and some of his colleagues have been in custody in Bahrain since 2015.