Bahraini Police Attacks Protesters, Arrests Dozens

Local Editor

Hundreds of anti-government protesters have clashed with riot police in Bahrain's capital after authorities denied a request for a major opposition rally.
Friday's confrontations included police firing tear gas at protesters in the narrow streets of Manama's traditional market area.
The unrest came after authorities rejected a request by the opposition groups for a gathering in the capital.
There was no official arrest count, but lawyers and activists said they documented about 40 arrests, all men, who are now being held inside the Hoora police station. They will likely be charged with taking part in an "illegal gathering," since the interior ministry had not authorized the protest.

"Almost all the streets leading into Manama were blocked by riot police," Yousif al-Muhafda, deputy-head of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights told al-Akhbar Lebanese daily. "We have documented at least two cases of injuries from stun grenades, one man and one woman," he stated.
Bahrain's national news agency reported that police had arrested a number of "lawbreakers" who took the streets and "committed acts of subversion."

Among those arrested in Manama was Nader Abdul Emam, a noted blogger and political activist.
Bahraini authorities have led a sweeping crackdown on dissidents in the wake of a mass popular uprising that erupted in February 2011.

Saudi troops entered Bahrain in March 2011 to help crush the revolt against al-Khalifa ruling family, but protests still occur almost daily.

Over 80 people have been killed by riot police, or while in custody, since the uprising began.The small kingdom is home to the US Fifth Fleet.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org