AhlulBayt News Agency

source : Press TV
Sunday

14 April 2013

6:26:00 PM
409168

Bahraini forces clash with anti-regime protesters

Bahraini security forces have clashed with anti-regime demonstrators, injuring several of them as thousands demonstrate against the ruling Al Khalifa regime across the kingdom.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Regime forces fired teargas and sound bombs to disperse protesters in the villages of Sanabis and Samaheej on Saturday. At least two people were arrested and several others, including a 14-year-old boy, injured.

Protesters also took to the streets in the town of Bilad al-Qadim, and chanted slogans against the regime and called for its downfall.

The protests were organized by Bahrain’s main opposition group, al-Wefaq, as part of a week-long campaign against the regime.

The aim of the move was to cancel the upcoming Formula One Grand Prix. Releasing the country’s political prisoners and democratic reforms were also parts of the protesters’ demands.

On Friday, thousands of Bahrainis took to the streets in the village of al-Aali, near the capital Manama, to express their opposition to the sport event.

Bahrainis say that Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, should cancel the April 19-21 event over Manama's ongoing crackdown on protests.

On Wednesday, Human Rights Watch said the Al Khalifa regime has arrested 20 opposition activists ahead of the event.

"Bahraini authorities are carrying out home raids and arbitrarily detaining opposition protesters in advance of the Formula 1 Grand Prix," the human rights body said.

Bahrainis have been staging demonstrations since mid-February 2011, demanding political reform and a constitutional monarchy, a demand that later changed to an outright call for the ouster of the ruling Al Khalifa family following its brutal crackdown on popular protests.

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