Bahrainis hold mass anti-government rally in capital

Bahraini protesters march in an anti-government demonstration in the capital, Manama (File Photo).

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/230778.html

Bahrainis have held a mass anti-government demonstration outside the capital, Manama, to demand an end to the rule of Al Khalifa dynasty.

Tens of thousands of Bahrainis took the streets west of Manama on Friday in response to a call from the country’s top Shia cleric Sheikh Issa Qasim. Images coming from Bahrain show protesters filled up the main Budaiya highway in Diraz and Saar.

"We are here for the sake of our just demands that we cannot make concessions over and we stick with them because we have sacrificed for them," Sheikh Qasim said before the march in his weekly sermon in the village of Diraz.

Demonstrators also called for the immediate release of political prisoners and denounced the Bahraini dictatorship in.

"No to dictatorship and no to sectarianism. We want an elected government that represents all Bahraini citizens without any discrimination," main opposition bloc al-Wefaq said in its statement.

"Time has come for real implementation of the principle of ' people are sources of all powers' as stipulated in the National Action Charter, the constitution, and international conventions on civil and political rights," al-Wefaq stated.

Similar protest rallies were also held across the country. Activists say over 50 percent of the Bahraini population took part in the protests.

US gave green light to toxic terror in Bahrain

Bahraini anti-government protesters run for cover from tear gas fired by riot police in Abu Saiba, west of Manama. (File photo)

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/224875.html

Washington has given the green light to unleash “toxic terror” in Bahrain after closing a million-dollar arms sales deal with the Al Khalifa regime, a political analyst says.

“Just as Bahrainis are being poisoned in their homes from indiscriminate firing of massive teargas by regime forces, Washington is showing its approval by going ahead with an arms sales deal to the Persian Gulf kingdom,” Global Research's Middle East and East Africa correspondent, Finian Cunningham said.

Since the beginning of the popular uprising in Bahrain last February, dozens of people have been killed and many more have been injured in the Al Khalifa regime's brutal crackdown on demonstrations.

Last year, under pressure from human rights groups, Washington decided to put on hold the sale of USD 53 million worth of weapons to Bahrain, demanding the Sunni monarchy to endorse democratic reforms.

However, it was revealed last week that the administration of Barack Obama is now moving forward with the deal without any formal notification to the public.

Saudi-backed Bahraini forces have stepped up their repression and massively increased the use of tear gas on protesters, which can be deadly among the very young and elderly. Nine people have died over the past two weeks alone.

“Manama is patently a policy of “toxic terrorism” and “collective punishment” against the 70 percent of the population demanding that the Western-backed regime gives way to democratic government,” Cunningham said.

Cunningham says that Bahrain is a classic case study of how Western geopolitical interests are closely aligned with repression and violation of human rights, and how Washington's effort to persuade any regime to enact democratic reforms is a crass delusion.

“The truth is that Washington's oil interests are entwined with repressive regimes in the Persian Gulf and are fundamentally opposed to the cause of democracy in these sheikdoms, “Cunningham added.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will use all options against Iran'

Turki al-Faisal addressing the conference on national and regional security in Manama, Bahrain, on Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/221771.html

Saudi Arabia's former intelligence chief says Riyadh will use “all available options” to defend itself against Iranian “threats” that might trigger “unwanted military confrontation.”

Addressing a conference on national and regional security in Manama, Bahrain, Turki al-Faisal said, “Any threat to our interests or security will force us to use all available options to defend our interests, and national and regional security.”

His remarks came after Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi urged Riyadh on Tuesday to reconsider plans to compensate for any shortfall in the market caused by West-backed sanctions against Iranian oil exports.

Iran's OPEC Governor Mohammad Ali Khatibi also warned the country's Persian Gulf neighbors last Sunday that they will be responsible for any consequences, should they agree to compensate for the Islamic Republic's oil exports in the event of Western sanctions against Tehran.

“The mounting escalation and persistent tensions might end up in an adventure with unpredictable consequences or in an unwanted military confrontation,” AFP quoted Faisal as saying.

Tensions between Tehran and Washington over the Strait of Hormuz have been escalating since the US and the European Union proposed sanctions against Iran's oil sector to deprive the country of its oil exports.

Iranian officials have warned that if Tehran is prevented from exporting crude oil through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, it may take measures, including closing the strategic Strait.

“Iran must not fuel this conflict and must not threaten us when we commit to international decisions,” Faisal added.

The former Saudi intelligence minister stated that Iran “must neutralize the security of the Strait of Hormuz and that of the world energy supply.”

“[Iran] has chosen a different policy that constantly undermines regional security and provokes foreign interventions, which it claims it is trying to get rid of,” the Saudi official accused.

'Iran war could end life on earth'

Paul Craig Roberts says Washington's possible war on Iran could end life on earth

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/221754.html

A former American official has warned that the United States wants to blame Israel for Washington's possible war on Iran that could end life on earth.

US warnings to Israel for not attacking Iran is to avoid responsibility for the war Washington has prepared, former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Paul Craig Roberts wrote in an article on Global Research.

"If the war gets out of hand, and if Russia and China intervene or nukes start flying, Washington wants the blame to rest on Israel, and Israel seems willing to accept the blame," Craig Roberts said.

Last week, The Wall Street Journal said the US has privately sought assurances from Israeli leaders that they will not take military action against Iran. But the Israeli response has been noncommittal.

The US analyst also used a few examples to show that the White House has prepared for an all-out war against Iran.

"If Washington did not want war with Iran it would not have provided the necessary weapons to Israel. It would not have deployed thousands of US troops to Israel," he argued.

"Washington would not have built a missile defense system for Israel and would not be conducting joint exercises with the Israeli military to make sure it works," Craig Roberts added.

He said, "Washington won't prevent the war that it so fervently desires. Neither will Washington's NATO puppets."

"'Great' Britain does as it is told, subservient and occupied Germany, bankrupt France, Italy occupied with US air bases with a government infiltrated by the CIA, bankrupt Spain and Greece will all, in hopes of an outpouring of US dollars and devoid of any dignity or honor, support the new war that could end life on earth," Craig Roberts added.

Britain and the death trade it denies

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/196875.html

The British government pledged to stop selling arms to repressive regimes including Bahrain back in February but the promises were nothing more than a bunch of lies.

Britain sold millions of pounds of arms used for internal repression to dictatorships in the Middle East and North Africa including Libya, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia just a few months ago.

London issued arms export licenses worth £30.5 million for shotguns, small arms ammunition and sub-machine guns to the regional countries where ruling regimes were brutally suppressing peaceful demonstrations between February and June this year.

This comes as the Foreign Office claimed back in February that the government has revoked all munitions export licenses to Bahrain over what Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Alistair Burt said in a statement was the “changing situation in Bahrain”, a euphemism for killing of protesters by riot prevention equipment partly supplied by Britain.

The government also claimed at the time that arms export licenses to Libya were ended due to what the Foreign Office acknowledged was “the use of lethal force against demonstrators” and the fears that British arms could be used against protesters.

However, the reality behind the claims was “business as usual” with British warmongers using the uprisings in the North African and Middle Eastern countries to increase their arms exports by 30 percent between February and June compared with last year breaching even their own export regulations not to mention human rights principles.

This is while; the British arms exports rules say the government will "not issue an export license if there is a clear risk that the proposed export might be used for internal repression."

According to the spokesperson for the Campaign Against Arms Trade Kay Stearman, the revelation is not “surprising” as it shows the government is continuing its past policy of apparently arming tyrants.

"This is very, very shocking, but sadly not surprising. It just goes to show that all the government's fine words about defending democracy and not selling arms to tyrants were just that - words. It is business as usual," she said.

Her remarks were echoed in those of chief executive of War on Want John Hillary.

"It is outrageous that Britain should still be exporting arms to a region in such crisis. We've seen the murderous consequences of these arms exports in country after country. It is unacceptable for the government to be supporting arms export licenses to the Middle East,” he said.

Pakistan to send more troops to Bahrain

Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari (L) met King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain on Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/194995.html

Pakistan has agreed to dispatch more mercenaries to Bahrain to help Al Khalifa regime's crackdown on anti-government protesters in the Persian Gulf state.

The agreement was reached when Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari met King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa during his one-day visit to Bahrain on Wednesday, IRNA reported Saturday.

Manama has been recruiting former soldiers and policemen from Pakistan at a steady rate to strengthen the government's forces.

In many demonstrations Bahraini protesters shouted slogans against Pakistani security forces in Urdu.

Pakistani and Saudi forces have played a major rule in suppressing anti-government protests in Bahrain since the beginning of unrest in the Persian Gulf country.

President of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) Nabeel Rajab said Friday that the Pakistani recruits have behaved with a heavy hand toward demonstrators.

"They're told they are going to go to a holy war in Bahrain to kill some non-Muslims or kafir [infidel] or Shias. They are paid well, maybe," Rajab noted.

Tens of thousands of Bahraini protesters have been holding peaceful anti-government rallies throughout the Middle Eastern country since February, demanding an end to the rule of the Al Khalifa family.

Scores of people have been killed and many more arrested and tortured in prisons in a government-sanctioned crackdown on protests since the beginning of the demonstrations.

According to the BCHR, there are currently over 1,000 political detainees inside the country.

Bahrain stages 'Popular Anger' rally

Anti-regime demonstrations in Bahrain (file phot)

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/194654.html

Bahrainis have staged yet another demonstration, this time under the banner of 'Popular Anger,' against the Saudi-backed Al Khalifa regime.

Friday's anti-regime demonstration comes despite an intensified onslaught, Press TV reported.

Saudi-backed forces in Bahrain have reportedly become more brutal in their crackdown on protester as the Persian Gulf country witnessed one of its larger anti-regime demonstrations since mid-February. Calls had gone out on various social media websites for a larger gathering.

Reports say that regime forces have fired tear gas at anti-state demonstrators in the capital Manama.

Bahrainis have been waging protest rallies since mid-February, demanding an end to the Al Khalifa dynasty, which has ruled the country for over 40 years.

Scores of people have been killed and hundreds more arrested in a brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters in Bahrain, home to a huge American military installation for the US Navy's Fifth Fleet in the Persian Gulf.

In March, a number of Persian Gulf Arab states, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, deployed military forces to Bahrain in an attempt to assist the Manama regime's crackdown on peaceful protesters.

Moreover, the regime has also sacked hundreds of public sector employees for supporting the protesters.

The Bahraini regime announced last week that it will terminate 23 medical staff member for providing medical treatment to injured protesters.

Freed ex-Bahraini MPs tortured in prison

Matar Matar, along with a number of anti-regime detainees in Bahrain, was released on August 7, 2011.

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/192882.html

Two newly-released former Bahraini opposition lawmakers say they have been tortured while in detention by the regime forces.

Jawad Fairouz and Matar Matar were among the prisoners that gained freedom on Sunday. They told British media that they were beaten up several times during more than two months in custody.

Maryam al-Khawaja of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) told Press TV on Monday that around 147 detainees were released by the Al Khalifa regime.

The two lawmakers were arrested in May after resigning from parliament in protest against the regime's Saudi-backed brutal crackdown on demonstrators.

Human rights lawyer Mohammed al-Tajer, detained in April, was also among those just released.

Scores of people have been killed and many more have been arrested and tortured in prisons in a government-sanctioned crackdown on peaceful protests since the beginning of demonstrations in Bahrain in February.

Al-Khawaja also told Press TV that among the protesters that were freed was a 14-year-old boy.

The BCHR has expressed concerns about the condition of young detainees, stating that it has received reports that young boys are being placed in cells holding “drug-related prisoners.”

According to the BCHR, there are currently over 1,000 political detainees inside the country's prisons.

Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has apparently accepted a series of 'reforms' prepared by a government-sponsored committee that was established to supposedly “address grievances that emerged during the protests.”

However, anti-government protesters continue to wage mass rallies in troubled Bahrain, demanding the release of female prisoners, and calling on King Hamad to resign.

Saudis recall ambassador from Syria

Saudi King Abdullah

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/192894.html

The Saudi regime has recalled its ambassador from Syria under the pretext of protesting 'intolerable violence' in the country, amid its own brutal military meddling in neighboring Bahrain.

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, who has deployed armored forces to troubled Bahrain to support a persisting brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters in the Persian Gulf sheikhdom, claimed in a Sunday statement that the violence in Syria was “unacceptable,” state-funded BBC reported Sunday.

King Abdullah also called for “acts of wisdom” by the Syrian government “before it is too late.”

The Syrian opposition accuses security forces of being behind the killings, but the government blames the deadly violence on foreign-backed armed gangs.

The Saudi regime, however, has totally ignored popular demands for a democratic government in Tunisia and Yemen by playing host to deposed Tunisian dictator, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, and Yemen's Ali Abdullah Saleh, who was injured in an attack on his presidential compound in the capital Sana'a on June 3.

Meanwhile, the Al-Saud regime was enthroned in Saudi Arabia with military backing of the British royal government and has emerged as one of the largest and key military bases of the United States in the Persian Gulf region.

On Saturday, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem announced that the country will hold free and transparent parliamentary elections by the end of the year.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad issued a decree on Thursday, authorizing a multi-party political system in the Middle Eastern country.

Syria has been experiencing unrest in the past months, with demonstrations held both against and in support of the Assad government.

Hundreds were killed when some protest rallies turned into armed clashes between alleged protesters and state security forces as well as organized attacks by well-armed gangs against the Syrian police force and border guards in north of the country.

Two separate shipments of weapons destined for Syria was confiscated on Sunday by Lebanese forces in apparent efforts by anti-Syrian political factions in Lebanon to destabilize the government in Damascus.

Saudi-backed forces attack Bahrainis

Bahraini forces (file photo)

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/191803.html

Saudi-backed Bahraini forces have fired tear gas at peaceful anti-regime protesters in the village of Nuwaidrat as the brutal crackdown continues.

The Monday attack comes as protesters have demanded an end to the Al Khalifa regime, complaining about injustice and discrimination.

There is no report on the number of casualties in the attack.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates deployed their first batch of military forces in Bahrain in mid-March.

Late last month, Saudi Arabia increased the number of it forces in Bahrain in an attempt to further help the ruling regime clamp down on anti-regime demonstrators.

Amnesty International has criticized the Al Khalifa regime for its violations of international law by brutally cracking down on peaceful protesters and activists.

Anti-regime protesters have been holding demonstrations across the country since mid-February, calling on the ruling family to relinquish power.

Bahraini forces surround US Embassy

Bahraini women protest in front of the US Embassy in Manama on March 7, 2011.

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/191402.html

Saudi-backed Bahraini forces have massed around the US Embassy in the capital to prevent a scheduled protest sit-in outside the US diplomatic compound.

Bahrain's February 14 Movement has called for a mass sit-in in front of the US Embassy on Friday to condemn Washington's interference in the country's internal affairs.

Witnesses say, so far, only a number of women have been sighted heading to the site of the embassy and there were no reports of gathering there.

Opposition groups and anti-government activists accuse Washington of supporting the ruling Al Khalifa regime and turning a blind eye to atrocities committed by Bahraini authorities against peaceful protesters.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrators took to the streets outside the capital to condemn the results of a National Dialogue, saying it had failed to address people's demands and bring real democratic reforms in the country.

The rally has been organized by the largest opposition group al-Wefaq, which pulled out of regime-led national reform talks in protest.

The leaders of al-Wefaq say they pulled out of the talks after their views and demands were ignored and because the talks were dominated by pro-government representatives.

On Thursday, Bahrain's King Hamad announced that he had approved parliamentary reforms submitted by a state-appointed body called the National Dialogue. But Bahraini opposition slammed the recommendations, saying they do not represent its demands or the will of the people.

"The government thought the results were great. We thought they were nothing. There's no fully elected government, no reforms to the voting system, it's a one-sided deal," Reuters news agency quoted al-Wefaq leader Sayed al-Mousawi as saying.

Al-Wefaq has repeatedly called for an "elected government," an "elected parliament with full legislative powers," and a "fair and independent judicial system" in the kingdom.

'US might re-deploy Bahrain fleet'

The US Navy Fifth Fleet Area of Operation, September 23, 2010

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/190000.html

The US is reportedly considering redeploying its Navy Fifth Fleet outside Bahrain, due to its alarm at the popular revolution against the country's Washington-backed regime.

Citing sources in Washington, The Times wrote that there was a groundswell of opinion in favor of the relocation of the fleet, which has been stationed in Bahrain since the 1970s.

Tens of thousands of Bahraini protesters have been holding peaceful anti-government rallies throughout the country since February, demanding an end to the rule of the Al Khalifa family.

"There was talk on Capitol Hill about moving the fleet within days of the protests breaking out, and that increased in March and April as people realized that what was happening in Bahrain ran counter to our interests," one source said.

The paper described the fleet as “a key component of US military power” in the Persian Gulf.

Al Khalifa, which has been ruling Bahrain for over 40 years, came into power with the direct support of the British royal family.

The Bahraini government is being constantly backed by the United States despite its record of human rights abuse and the numerous complaints lodged against it with the International Court of Justice at The Hague.

Scores of people have been killed and many more have been arrested and tortured in prisons since the beginning of protests in Bahrain.

Al-Wefaq quits Bahraini regime talks

A Bahraini woman attending protest march in the capital of Manama, while holding a sign referring to Bahrain's King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. File photo

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/189522.html

The largest party and opposition bloc in Bahrain has quit the so-called government-sponsored national dialogue currently underway in the country.

On Sunday, the Al Wefaq National Islamic Society said it was leaving the talks pending formal confirmation from its leadership, AFP reported.

The party's representative at the dialogue, Khalil al-Marzuk said, "We have tried but without success to make it a serious dialogue."

Manama launched the talks on July 2 with the alleged aim of introducing reforms in the Persian Gulf sheikdom's system of governance.

Al-Wefaq says since the negotiations started, the government has been trying to muffle the voice of the Bahraini people.

In a popular revolution, tens of thousands of Bahraini protesters have been holding peaceful anti-regime rallies throughout the country since February, demanding an end to the rule of the family.

Al Khalifa has governed the oil-rich island for over 40 years with major backing from the United States, Britain and the neighboring Saudi Arabia.

Scores of people have been killed and many more arrested and tortured in prisons as part of the clampdown in the country -- a longtime US ally and home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet.

Bahrainis defy Saudi-backed crackdown

Anti-regime protests in Bahrain (File photo)

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/188541.html

Bahraini protesters have taken to the streets across the country once again, defying the Saudi-backed crackdown on peaceful demonstrations and calling for the downfall of the regime.

Bahrain's Saudi-backed security forces have clashed with anti-government protesters that demand an end to the autocratic rule of Al Khalifa regime across the tiny Persian Gulf sheikdom, Press TV sources report.

Regime forces struggled to disperse protesters who staged rallies in several areas late Sunday. The nightly clampdown came after groups of young men and women chanted slogans against the Al Khalifa family rule, calling for its ouster.

Similarly, security forces fired tear gas and live rounds on Saturday to disperse protesters in the northeastern village of Nuwaidrat, who rejected the call for talks with the government.

Anti-regime demonstrators also staged rallies in the villages of Dair and Musalla, renewing their calls for the regime to give up power.

Saudi-backed security forces have been suppressing Bahraini protesters on a daily basis since Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates deployed military forces to the tiny country to assist the Bahraini government in its brutal crackdown on popular protests.

Bahrain's main opposition group, al-Wefaq, is currently in talks with Bahraini officials as part of the so-called “national dialogue.” It agreed to participate in the talks after the government pledged to allow an independent inquiry into the violent crackdown on protesters.

But the opposition bloc is not satisfied with the process, saying participants in the dialogue do not fairly represent the entire society and those in attendance are not allowed a fair chance to speak during the sessions.

On Friday, senior Bahraini cleric Sheikh Issa Qasim ruled out negotiations with the Al Khalifa regime, calling them meaningless and accusing Manama of using ongoing reconciliation talks as an instrument to delay democratic reforms.

In February, massive protests broke out in Bahrain, with people taking to the streets and calling for a constitutional monarchy -- a demand that later turned into calls for the regime's collapse.

Scores of protesters have been killed -- many under torture -- and numerous others detained and transferred to unknown locations during the regime's brutal onslaught on dissidents.

HRW blasts US over Bahrain crackdown

HRW's deputy Middle East director Joe Stork

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/187946.html

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has lashed out at the US and its allies for ignoring violent oppression against peaceful anti-regime protesters in Bahrain.

"Bahrain has brutally punished those protesting peacefully for greater freedom and accountability while the US and other allies looked the other way," HRW's deputy Middle East director Joe Stork said.

The rights group, in a statement on Wednesday, also criticized the Bahrain government for carrying out a "campaign of violent oppression" against its citizens.

Anti-government protesters took to the streets of Bahrain on February 14, but the country's Saudi-backed forces crushed the demonstrations in a bloody crackdown in March.

"The Bahrain government, since March 2011, has been carrying out a punitive and vindictive campaign of violent repression against its own citizens," the statement said.

Bahrain Center for Human Rights, a non-governmental organization, said there are currently over 1,000 political detainees, including medical staff, inside the country.

HRW called on Bahrain "to end unlawful and incommunicado detention, to free protesters unless legitimate criminal charges can be brought against them, and to allow monitoring by independent human rights organizations."

It also said it has been prevented from working in Bahrain since April

Bahrain cracks down on another demo

Tens of thousands of Bahrainis rally in Diraz, West of Manama, to express their rejection of negotiations between opposition leaders and the government, July 1, 2011

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/187270.html

Bahraini security forces have cracked down on another demonstration, despite the opposition's threat to quit talks with the regime if the people's demands are not met.

The incident took place on Saturday, when a funeral for a victim of the regime's crackdown turned into an anti-regime demonstration as the participants marched toward the capital's Martyr Square, formerly known as Pearl Square.

The angry protesters were shouting slogans and calling for King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to step down.

Bahraini security forces attacked the demonstrators as helicopters buzzed overhead.

New footage from Manama also showed an old woman hospitalized after inhaling tear gas fired by regime forces on homes in a district of Sitra.

Bahrain's rulers and opposition leaders have started negotiations despite huge demonstrations held on Friday throughout the country demanding that the opposition reject the call for talks with the government.

The main opposition party Al-Wefaq made a last-minute decision to join the National Dialogue but has threatened to withdraw from the talks if the government ignores the people's demands.

In March, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates deployed military forces to Bahrain to help the regime crush nationwide protests that broke out in mid-February.

Dozens of people have been killed so far and hundreds more arrested in the Saudi-backed crackdown on the protests.

The violent repression continues, despite the lifting of a three-month emergency law imposed in March, and Manama is still putting civilians on trial in its so-called special courts.

Bahrain jails opposition leaders for life

Eight of the 21 defendants received life sentences

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/185764.html

A military court in Bahrain has sentenced eight opposition activists to life in prison for "plotting to overthrow the ruling system."

The special security court also handed sentences of up to 15 years to 13 other activists on Wednesday. Seven people were sentenced in absentia.

Bahraini authorities claim that those charged were trying to overthrow Bahraini government "by force and intelligence with a terror group colluding with a foreign country."

Witnesses said that after the judge read the sentences, the defendants pumped their fists in the air and shouted "peacefully" and vowed to continue their protest campaign against the rule of Al Khalifa dynasty.

Maryam al-Khawaja, head of foreign relations office of Bahrain Center for Human Rights, said the court's guards beat the defendants and dragged them away from the courtroom after they spoke out against the unfair verdicts.

"Peaceful, peaceful, peaceful. Our people want freedom," shouted leader of the Waad party Ibrahim Sharif, who was sentenced to five years in jail.

"We will continue to fight for our rights and our people," human rights activists Abdulhadi al-Khawaja shouted as he was sentenced to life in prison.

Al-Khawaja's daughter, Zeinab, who was also at the court, protested at the verdicts, shouting "God is great" for three times.

She was hustled out of the courtroom by security guards and arrested on charge of contempt of court. After signing a number of pledges, however, she was released.

Ahead of the trial, anti-government activists set up roadblocks outside the courtroom and held rallies in support of the jailed anti-regime protesters.

According to Bahrain's official news agency, BNA, the activists have 15 days to appeal the rulings.

Those who received life sentences are:

1) Abdul Wahhab Hussain

2) Hassan Mushaima, the secretary-general of the Haq opposition party, who returned from self-imposed exile in Britain in February after the government dropped charges against him in a bid to appease protesters.

3) Abdul Jalil al-Muqdad

4) Abdul Jalil al-Singance, head of the Haq Movement for Liberty and Democracy

5) Saeed Mirza al-Nouri

6) Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, prominent human rights activists

7) Saeed al-Shehabi (in absentia)

8) Mohammed Habib al-Saffaf (al-Muqdad)

The court also sentenced Mohammed Jawad to 15 years in jail. In addition, five activists, including Ebrahin Sharif, Abdulhadi al-Mukhodher, Abdulla al-Mahroos, Salah al-Khawaja, Mohammed Ali Radhi, were given 5 years behind bars.

Al-Hur al-Sumaikh received a two-year jail term.

Those who were tried in absentia are:

1) Aqeel al-Safir (15 years imprisonment)

2) Abdul Raouf al-Shayeb (15 years imprisonment)

3) Abbas al-Omran (15 years imprisonment)

4) Ali Mushaima, Hassan Mushaima's son (15 years imprisonment)

5) Abdulghani Khanjar (15 years imprisonment)

6) Ali Abdulemam, an outspoken government critic known as the "Bahraini blogger" (15 years imprisonment)

7) Saeed al-Shehabi (life imprisonment)

Bahrainis hold mass protest in Sitra

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/185149.html

Thousands of Bahraini anti-government protesters have poured into the streets in the island city of Sitra, following a call by the country's largest opposition group al-Wefaq.

The Friday rally was the second mass anti-government demonstration organized by al-Wefaq since the heavy mid-March government crackdown on protesters.

Witnesses say regime forces were closely monitoring the rally and a military helicopter was hovering over the city. But there were no reports of clashes or arrests.

The first protest rally was hold last Saturday under the banner "Bahrain, homeland for all" in the village of Sar 10 days after a state of emergency was lifted.

Al-Wefaq leader cleric Sheikh Ali Salman told protesters on Friday that the opposition was not against dialogue with the government if rights interlocutor and officials were involved.

"The success of dialogue, reform and transition to democracy need officials that believe in it. One of the problems of the past was that many officials did not believe in democracy and reform," AFP quoted Salman as saying to the crowds.

Similar protest rallies were also held in some other Bahraini villages and towns. Witnesses say regime forces fired teargas at protesters in Karzakan village, west of the country.

Bahraini opposition demands the release of detained anti-government protesters, the suspension of trials against opposition activist and a halt to the dismissal of students and workers before the beginning of the national dialogue set for July 1.

Thousands of anti-government protesters have been staging demonstrations in Bahrain since mid-February, demanding political reforms 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.

Scores of people have been killed and hundreds, including doctors and journalists, were arrested in the Saudi-backed crackdown on peaceful protesters in Bahrain.

Human rights groups and the families of protesters arrested during the crackdown say that most detainees have been physically and mentally abused, while the whereabouts of many of them still remains unknown.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have bitterly criticized Manama for its brutal crackdown on civilians.

Bahrain braces for Friday protest

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/184865.html

Bahrain's largest opposition group has called for a mass anti-regime protest rally on Friday despite heavy government crackdown on protests.

Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society says it is set to hold a peaceful demonstration in Sitra to demand political reforms and to protest against the government's brutal crackdown on anti-regime protesters.

The Friday march would be the second anti-regime demonstration since a mid-march crackdown on protesters.

The first protest rally was held on Saturday under the banner "Bahrain, homeland for all" in the village of Sar, 10 days after a state of emergency was lifted.

"This presence in the street is to tell the authorities that we still demand political change... Our slogan is: 'The people want to reform the regime'," Al-Wefaq politician ex-MP Hadi al-Moussawi told AFP on Saturday as anti-regime protesters had spilled into neighboring streets.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Bahrainis poured into the streets on Wednesday to mark the fourth month of popular uprising against the regime of Al Khalifa.

Thousands of anti-government protesters have been staging demonstrations in Bahrain since mid-February, demanding political reforms 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.

Scores of people have also been killed and many others injured in the Saudi-backed crackdown on peaceful protesters in Bahrain.

Bahraini activists say their protest campaign will continue until the nation's demands are met.

US role in Bahrain crackdown exposed

Bahraini army tanks block streets leading to Pearl Square in the capital Manama on March 16, 2011

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/184515.html

The crucial role of the United States and Britain in the brutal crackdown on anti-government protesters in Bahrain has been exposed.

According to the Morning Star newspaper, Bahrain received over USD 200 million in military equipment from US companies between October 2009 and October 2010, which were used against peaceful anti-government protesters in the country.

The arms sales were more than double the USD 89 million worth approved by Washington over the previous US financial year.

Previously, the sales included military hardware for aircraft and military electronics. However, in 2010, the US government also approved the sale of USD 760,000 in rifles, shotguns and assault weapons to Bahrain.

Scores of protesters have been killed and many others injured since the beginning of anti-regime protests in Bahrain in mid-February.

Despite international condemnation of Manama's gross human rights violations, Washington has, so far, refused to condemn the brutal crackdown on protesters with US President Barack Obama expressing firm support for the Bahraini regime.

Bahraini opposition groups have lashed out at the US for what they have described as Washington's double-standards on the revolutions in the Arab world.

It is widely believed that since Bahrain is a key US ally in the Persian Gulf region and hosts the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, Washington prefers to remain silent about events unfolding in the country.

Chris Bambery, a Middle East analyst, said in an interview with Press TV that Bahrain is also "a major banking center for British and American finance."

Britain, which has played a key role in propping up hereditary monarchies in the Persian Gulf and supports the unelected regimes, has also played a significant role in crackdowns on Bahraini protesters.

According to UK Ministry of Defense, members of the Saudi Arabian National Guard, who were sent into Bahrain in March to crush the popular uprising, had received military training from the British Armed Forces in Saudi Arabia.