AhlulBayt News Agency

source : Almanar
Wednesday

15 February 2012

8:30:00 PM
296888

Bahrain Opposition Vows More Rallies, Regime Stages Arrests Campaign

Bahrain opposition pledged to keep up its rallies against regime, hours after security forces clashed with demonstrators, staging a campaign of arrests including rights activists and foreigners.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Coalition of youth of February 14th revolution called on protesters to turn back to Pearl square.

The coalition made his call in a statement, a day after protesters made several attempts to reach the iconic square; the focal point of the February 14th uprising that was crushed a month later by authorities.

Meanwhile, the regime has staged a campaign of arrests, including rights activist Nabeel Rajab and six American activists.

On Wednesday, authorities said it has deported six US citizens for joining pro-democracy demonstrations.

The six activists who were deported had entered the country on tourist visas in the past week and were sent home after "participating in illegal demonstrations," an Information Affairs Authority statement said.

They were briefly questioned at a local police station and "agreed to leave the country without further legal procedures," the statement added.

The deportations bring the number of Americans expelled from Bahrain to eight after two human rights activists were ordered out the country on February 11 after being accused of "illegal" activities.

On Tuesday, regime forces fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the protesters marking the first anniversary of Pearl Revolution.

For its part, prominent opposition group, al-Wefaq, said Bahraini police made dozens of arrests while dispersing protesters attempting to march on the capital's former Pearl Square.
"The total number of arrests ... is around 150, including women and children between the ages of 13 and 16," the statement said adding that some were later released.

Al-Wefaq said there were "large numbers of injuries to the demonstrators caused by birdshot pellets, tear gas canisters, stun grenades".

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