(AhlulBayt News Agency) - Bahrain’s opposition Al-Wefaq movement applauded the “patience and will” of Diraz’s 20,000 plus residents, who endured an unprecedented lockdown by Manama’s security forces for over two years.
The opposition group confirmed that the Diraz “siege” was finally lifted this week as police removed concrete barricades and checkpoints in and around the village.
But the move has not been met with celebrations.
Instead, Al-Wefaq described the measures that were in place for more than 24 months as the longest ‘strangulation’ of the area and its people.
Manama’s security forces moved in to lockdown Diraz in June 2016, right after its most prominent resident and Bahrain’s highest religious authority Sheikh Isa Qassim had his citizenship revoked.
The siege culminated in Sheikh Qassim being placed under house arrest and denied access to proper medical care, the killing of a number of his supports, the arrest of hundreds and the banning of Friday prayers at the local mosque.
Earlier this week, Sheikh Qassim traveled to the United Kingdom to seek treatment for his illnesses, which Al-Wefaq blames on the siege.
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source : Lualua TV
Thursday
12 July 2018
8:38:16 AM
901437
Bahrain’s opposition Al-Wefaq movement applauded the “patience and will” of Diraz’s 20,000 plus residents, who endured an unprecedented lockdown by Manama’s security forces for over two years.