Three prominent rights activists arrested in Bahrain
http://archive.gulfnews.com/region/Bahrain/10101409.html
02/03/2007 12:55 AM | AP
Manama: Several hundred demonstrators yesterday clashed with authorities, who fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the crowds, after police arrested three prominent human rights activists in separate raids in the capital, local rights groups said.
Authorities detained and questioned the leader of Bahrain’s HAQ democracy movement, Hassan Mush-aima’a; the outspoken head of the Bahraini Centre for Human Rights, Abdul Hadi Al Khawaja; and independent rights activist Shaker Abdul Hussain, rights groups reported.
Three prominent rights activists arrested in Bahrain
http://archive.gulfnews.com/region/Bahrain/10101409.html
02/03/2007 12:55 AM | AP
Manama: Several hundred demonstrators yesterday clashed with authorities, who fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the crowds, after police arrested three prominent human rights activists in separate raids in the capital, local rights groups said.
Authorities detained and questioned the leader of Bahrain’s HAQ democracy movement, Hassan Mush-aima’a; the outspoken head of the Bahraini Centre for Human Rights, Abdul Hadi Al Khawaja; and independent rights activist Shaker Abdul Hussain, rights groups reported.
Nabeel Rajab of the Bahraini centre said the three were now awaiting whether the general prosecutor will bring charges against them.
In a statement on the arrests, HAQ said that Mushaima’a and Al Khawaja worked on “issues sensitive to the Bahraini authorities.” The two have reported on a case dubbed “Bandargate” that sent shockwaves through the country.
The case involves claims made by former government consultant Salah Al Bandar, who alleged last year that top government officials were behind the use of electronic technology to rig the November elections in favour of Sunnis.
The government denied the allegations and charged Al Bandar with sedition and expelled him from the country.
Rajab also said the arrested activists had planned a conference in late February in Bahrain, inviting a US think tank and others to discuss Bandargate.
Security officials declined to immediately comment on the arrests.
Following the arrests, some 400 supporters of HAQ staged demonstrations in Sanabas, northwest of the capital, Manama, Interior Ministry spokesman Mohammad Bin Dina said.
HAQ spokesman Abdul Jalil Al Singace said special security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the demonstrators, who originated from several villages west of the capital. The demonstrators dispersed but later regrouped.
“The three villages were besieged by the security forces and helicopters were seen roving over the area. We expect an escalation in confrontation in the coming hours,” Al Singace said.
Police blocked roads leading to the protesters, and black smoke could be seen rising from the area. Witnesses said the demonstrators set tyres and garbage containers on fire.