AhlulBayt News Agency

source : AFP
Friday

20 April 2012

4:42:00 PM
309993

Clashes injure dozens in Bahrain before F1 race’s practices

Dozens of people have been injured in clashes between anti-regime protesters and government forces ahead of Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix’ practices.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The overnight clashes took place across several villages on Friday and continued into early morning.

Bahraini forces fired teargas canisters and buckshot to disperse the crowds, wounding dozens of people, witnesses said.

Protesters chanted, "The people want to topple the regime."

Demonstrators also burned tires and briefly blocked several main roads leading to the Sakhir circuit in the southwest of the capital Manama -- the venue for Friday's practices for the race, which is expected in two days.

Bahrain's main opposition group Al Wefaq has called for a week of daily rallies to protest against the upcoming contest.

Protesters believe the event is being used by the Al Khalifa regime to portray a normal picture of the state of affairs on the ground in the sheikdom, which has been witnessing anti-regime rallies since February 2011.

Last year, Formula One’s governing body cancelled the contest in the country over nationwide anti-government protests.

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