Ex-Bahraini MP dies under detention

Hundreds of Bahrainis protest at the funeral of an activist in Manama on February 16, 2011

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/178308.html

A former Bahraini lawmaker and member of the country's main opposition group has died in a hospital after being held in custody of the Manama regime.

Jawad Firouz who was a member of al-Wefaq political society, was recently arrested and detained by Bahraini police, local sources said on Thursday.

The development comes after rights group Amnesty International appealed to rulers in Manama on Wednesday to end the arrest of opposition members.

Manama regime has intensified its crackdown on the popular revolution against the decades-long ruling of al-Khalifa dynasty in the small Persian Gulf country, which has been continuing since Mid-February.

On Tuesday, the Bahraini parliament voted to extend the state of emergency for three more months, due to expire on June 15.

Human rights organizations have strongly criticized Saudi-backed Bahrain forces for their heavy-handed crackdown on peaceful protesters.

On March 13, Saudi-led forces were dispatched to the Persian Gulf island at Manama's request to quell countrywide protests.

According to local sources, dozens of people have been killed and hundreds arrested so far during the government clampdown on peaceful demonstrations.

Bahrain is home to major military base of the US Navy Fifth Fleet.