Bahrain: Revenge attacks by Death Squads following the Formula 1 debacle

In clear revenge to the activism during the formula 1 race last week, the ruling family has ordered the arrest of scores of Bahrainis for their alleged part in the protests and demonstrations.

Many towns and villages were targeted; Duraz, Ma’amir, Aali  and Jidhafs Housing, Ras Rumman and Hamad Town. Ibrahim Al Demstani from Duraz who works as a nurse was arrested for allegedly helping an injured youth. A young man from Jidhafs went to the Sulaimaniya Hospital for treatment to his burnt hand and was arrested. There were countrywide protests during the annual racing festival which are used by the ruling family to deceive Western opinion and camouflage the boiling situation in the country.

Meanwhile a young Bahraini has become the latest to be hit by cluster bullets. Hussain Ali Hassan Al Sahlawi, 25, from Sehla town was targeted while apparently taking part in a peaceful demonstration in Karzakkan. The bullet is of a special type that would disintegrate into small shrapnel that would penetrate the body in many places and would create intolerable pain. His condition is described as serious. Ten people were known to have been detained in connection with the protests including Abdul Aziz Al Sehlawi from Sehla, Adel Ahmad Al Barni, from Ras Rumman, Mahmood Al Diwan, from Al Ma’amir, Hussain Ali Hassan Al Sehlawi from Hamad Town and Ibrahim Yousuf Madan from Nabih Salih. He was released later after receiving an extensive session of torture and ill treatment. Some of them were brought near the British Embassy in a shameful way to create an atmosphere of terror among Bahrainis and to put pressure on UK for granting political asylum to victims of the Al Khalifa torture. One of the notorious torturers, Ahmad Bu Cheri recorded the “crime” of the innocent Bahrainis as they “re-enacted” it.

Some youth from Abu Saibe came out to the main Budayya Road, raised their pro-democracy slogans and burnt tyres in protest at the recent arrests of Bahrainis and to call for an end to the political naturalization crime. Calls have been made for the release of the political prisoners by activists such as Dr Abdul Jalil Al Singace and Sheikh Abdul Hadi Al Mokhowdar. They took part in today’s protest in Sitra, near Al Islah Hussaini Hall.

Another protest was organized near the town of Musalla to protest the arbitrary detention of Bahrainis and the shooting of Al Sehlawi. Another protest was held in Duraz near the main roundabout. They were viciously attacked by riot police and Death Squads. The attackers invaded the town creating fear among the children and women. Columns of smoke were seen billowing above Sanabis.

During the days of the Formula many areas staged protests to highlight the plight of the natives who are being subjected to cultural, economic and political genocide. Many protests were held in Sitra, Mhazza. Several fires were ignited near the interior ministry headquarters and were seen by foreign journalists covering the event. Manama also witnessed protests and demonstrations last week. The town of Malikiya was also the scene of major protests on the two days of the races on 11th and 12th March. One day later, the royal court ordered an attack on the town. Prohibited gases and ammunition were used to quell the unrest.

Four youth from Samaheej have filed a case against the Al Khalifa run interior ministry for serious injuries they sustained in a barbaric attack on them as they drove a car past a police jeeps. They were terrorized for three hours. They were first stopped, surrounded by forty mercenaries and beaten up mercilessly. The youth then went to a nearby police station to report the crime but were not given a listening ear. They were then taken to the Sulaimaniya Hospital for treatment.

Bahrain Freedom Movement
19th March 2010