.Police Battle Protesters in Bahrain
MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) - Riot police clashed with demonstrators burning tires and garbage at a suburban shopping center Friday, and at least 11 people were wounded, witnesses said.
The demonstration began as a peaceful protest by about 175 people who were demanding the release of 20 supporters of a cleric who have been detained since Dec. 24. One of the banners said: "Free our children from prison."
Police intervened after the demonstrators committed "acts of sabotage," an Interior Ministry spokesman said on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak to the media by name. He did not elaborate.
The Bahraini authorities issued no immediate figure for the casualties, but a human rights activist, Nabil Rajab, said 11 people were taken to the hospital.
A political activist, Abduljalil Al Singace, told The Associated Press in an e-mail that police armed with batons and tear gas clashed with the demonstrators and more than 20 people were wounded.
It was not immediately clear why the protest turned violent. But the government does not want demonstrations while the tiny island state is hosting thousands of foreigners who have come for the Formula 1 Grand Prix on Sunday.
An opposition group, the Bahrain Freedom Movement, issued a statement saying Friday's protest was intended to attract the attention of "those who came to participate in the race."
The detention of the 20 supporters of the cleric Khalid Hamed Mansour Sanad has become a major issue between the government and Shiite opposition groups. Sanad was detained at Manama airport on his return from Iran. Infuriated by his detention, his supporters rioted and began smashing airport furniture and windows, and police detained 20 people.
Authorities released Sanad hours later, but not the rioters.
Bahrain has a history of tension between its Shiites, who form a slight majority of the population, and the ruling family, which belongs to the rival Sunni sect of Islam.
MyWay
Hope for the best, expect the worst.
The demonstration began as a peaceful protest by about 175 people who were demanding the release of 20 supporters of a cleric who have been detained since Dec. 24. One of the banners said: "Free our children from prison."
Police intervened after the demonstrators committed "acts of sabotage," an Interior Ministry spokesman said on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak to the media by name. He did not elaborate.
The Bahraini authorities issued no immediate figure for the casualties, but a human rights activist, Nabil Rajab, said 11 people were taken to the hospital.
A political activist, Abduljalil Al Singace, told The Associated Press in an e-mail that police armed with batons and tear gas clashed with the demonstrators and more than 20 people were wounded.
It was not immediately clear why the protest turned violent. But the government does not want demonstrations while the tiny island state is hosting thousands of foreigners who have come for the Formula 1 Grand Prix on Sunday.
An opposition group, the Bahrain Freedom Movement, issued a statement saying Friday's protest was intended to attract the attention of "those who came to participate in the race."
The detention of the 20 supporters of the cleric Khalid Hamed Mansour Sanad has become a major issue between the government and Shiite opposition groups. Sanad was detained at Manama airport on his return from Iran. Infuriated by his detention, his supporters rioted and began smashing airport furniture and windows, and police detained 20 people.
Authorities released Sanad hours later, but not the rioters.
Bahrain has a history of tension between its Shiites, who form a slight majority of the population, and the ruling family, which belongs to the rival Sunni sect of Islam.
MyWay
Hope for the best, expect the worst.
posted by madtom at 6:15 PM
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