(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - In the exclusive interview on Tuesday, Saeed Shehabi from the Bahraini Freedom Movement likened Bahrain's king to a daydreamer after he announced his decision to pardon the demonstrators of the country's popular uprising.
“I think he was daydreaming when he was uttering these words because first of all none of his victims would accept to be pardoned by him,” Shehabi noted.
King Hamad said in his speech on Sunday that he would “dismiss charges against some of the detained protesters and allow compensation to prisoners abused by security forces.”
He also promised to reinstate employees and students who have been dismissed for participating in anti-regime protests.
Bahraini protesters rejected the King's comments and took to the streets immediately after the speech, blaming him for the brutal crackdown on the peaceful demonstrations.
Shehabi touched upon the international criticism and reactions toward the regime's brutal crackdown on protesters, saying the Bahraini ruler is the one who should seek forgiveness from his people and he should implement reforms in his crisis-stricken country as soon as possible.
“While his victims need to be addressed, the whole world is saying that there should be reforms and reform means that your style of leadership is simply not on; is simply an antiquated old regime and that is what should be reformed. However, he is still looking with the same old mentality to what has been going on in the country,” he maintained.
Thousands of anti-government protesters in Bahrain have been holding peaceful demonstrations since mid-February, demanding an end to the Al Khalifa dynasty.
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