Bahraini Regime Forces Mount Crackdown on Protesters
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Bahraini security forces, in another move to crack down on the opposition groups, removed the picture of Sheikh Ali Salman, the jailed secretary general of al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, from his home.
The Al Khalifa regime forces on Monday pulled down religious flags and symbols in Sheikh Salman’s hometown of Bilad al-Qadeem, near the capital, Manama, after 44 days of his detention.
They also removed the picture of the opposition figure from his home, Lebanon's Al Ahd news website reported.
In response to the move by the Bahraini regime, al-Wefaq National Islamic Society said, “The move was a provocative step and a violation of law."
The Al Khalifa regime is pressing ahead with its crackdown on opposition, after it arrested Sheikh Salman on December 28.
The 49-year-old cleric is charged with “promoting regime change by force, threats, and illegal means, and of insulting the Interior Ministry publicly,” said Bahraini prosecutor Nayef Mahmud.
The uprising in Bahrain began on February 14, 2011. Protesters initially called for political reforms and a constitutional monarchy. However, the demand later changed to an outright call for the ouster of the Al Khalifa family following its brutal crackdown on popular protests.
Scores of people have been killed in the crackdown and security forces have arrested hundreds including doctors and nurses. Dozens of demonstrators have also been sentenced to jail terms for attending street protests.
