Probe call after mother is hurt during 'disturbance'

By NOOR TOORANI , Posted on » Thursday, August 12, 2010
A BAHRAINI mother was yesterday recovering at home after allegedly being injured by a stray “projectile” during a disturbance.
Fadheela Salman, 25, was with her eight-month-old daughter Malak when she was allegedly hit by a “sound bomb” used to disperse protestors, breaking her foot.
Her husband Abbas Ebrahim yesterday demanded a full investigation into the incident, which happened as she walked to a cold store in Sitra, with her sister-in-law and niece, 10, on Monday night.
By NOOR TOORANI , Posted on » Thursday, August 12, 2010
A BAHRAINI mother was yesterday recovering at home after allegedly being injured by a stray “projectile” during a disturbance.
Fadheela Salman, 25, was with her eight-month-old daughter Malak when she was allegedly hit by a “sound bomb” used to disperse protestors, breaking her foot.
Her husband Abbas Ebrahim yesterday demanded a full investigation into the incident, which happened as she walked to a cold store in Sitra, with her sister-in-law and niece, 10, on Monday night.
“Fadheela was with my sister and the children when they walked to a nearby cold store at 10pm, but when they got there they saw more than 20 riot police,” Mr Ebrahim told the GDN.
“My wife was carrying my baby girl as they walked, but the second she gave her to my sister they saw something that looked like a spark.
“Then all of a sudden a projectile hit my wife’s leg and they heard a deafening sound, which forced them to shelter the children and run away.”
Sister Fatima broke the news to Mr Ebrahim over the phone soon afterwards and told him his wife had lost her phone in the chaos.
“They had taken shelter in a nearby alleyway and I went to the scene to look for her mobile,” he said.
“When I located it I also found a shell casing next to it.”
The 29-year-old is demanding an inquiry, saying the stray projectile could have killed his daughter.
“I demand authorities investigate the incident because this is unacceptable,” he said.
“What if it had hit my daughter? What would have happened then?
“Even if the police didn’t fire on purpose, they should have come to their aid. These are women and children we are talking about.
“Lighting in the area was extremely clear and anyone could see they were women and children and not masked rioters trying to wreak havoc.”
After the incident, the couple went to Sitra Health Centre, but Ms Salman was transferred to Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) where an X-ray apparently showed a broken bone in her left foot.
The couple were later informed that a group of rioters had gathered in Sitra, but they were claimed to be nowhere near the women and children.
Mr Ebrahim lodged a complaint at the Sitra Police Station the same night, but claims he is still awaiting a response.
“My wife was an innocent bystander and this happened to her so I went to the police station to complain as soon as I finished with the hospital,” he said.
“I showed them the medical reports and gave them the shell casing.”
Interior Ministry officials were not available for comment yesterday.
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