AhlulBayt News Agency

source : Agencies
Thursday

19 April 2012

7:30:00 PM
310011

Bahraini Authorities Escalate Violence ahead of F1

Formula One cars took to the track in Bahrain on Friday, while the government authorities continue their attempt to silence the prodemocracy movement in Bahrain.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - According to news agencies, the Bahraini authorities have escalated their violent crackdown against pro-democracy protesters and human rights activists.  Villages and houses have been attacked continuously for the past few days. Pre-dawn house raids are being conducted and dozens of protesters are either arrested or wanted for arrest.

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

Riot police used the shotgun extensively to suppress the demonstrators.

In parallel, thousands of people continue demonstrating in many Bahraini areas to demand an end to the race ,the release of opinion detainees, and the toppling of al-Khalifa dynasty.

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

Meanwhile, the Saudi-backed Bahraini regime has denied visas to foreign journalists seeking to travel to the Persian Gulf country to cover the Formula One Grand Prix race in an effort to undermine their work in reporting the violence against protesters during the F1.

"Journalists and photographers with Agence France-Presse (AFP) and Associated Press (AP) have been prevented from entering the Arab state," AFP reported Thursday.

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