News / Persian Gulf

Bahrainis voice solidarity with political prisoners

Friday, 30 January 2015 6:57 AM [ Last Update: Friday, 30 January 2015 7:57 AM ]

A Bahraini protester wearing a gas mask (file photo)

Bahrainis have taken to the streets south of the capital Manama in solidarity with political prisoners, sparking clashes with regime forces.

The demonstrators rallied on the island of Sitra and several nearby villages against mistreatment of political detainees.

The protests broke out after some reports said inmates at a jail were assaulted by guards.

The gatherings followed similar demonstrations in several areas across the Persian Gulf state on Thursday against the detention of Sheikh Salman, who leads the al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, the country’s main Shia opposition bloc.

Popular anti-regime rage

There has been an escalation in anti-regime demonstrations in the sheikdom since Bahraini forces detained Salman on December 28 last year. The arrest came two days after he was re-elected as the party’s leader.

Salman is being tried on charges of seeking to overthrow the ruling Al Khalifa regime.

Bahrain has been a scene of daily protests against Salman’s detention, with protesters demanding his immediate release.

The Al Khalifa regime has launched a heavy-handed crackdown on the peaceful anti-government movement in Bahrain, which started in 2011. The West and Manama’s regional allies have been supportive of and some have even participated in the crackdown.

HN/MKA

Related story

Bahraini protesters slam Shia cleric's detention Thu Jan 29, 2015

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir

Bahrain