Bahrain Live Blog

An anti-government protester wears face mask that reads 'Ready to Die for Bahrain'[Reuters]

One year after the pro-democracy uprising began on February 14, protests against the ruling al-Khalifa monarchy continue across Bahrain. 

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4 hours 13 min ago - Bahrain

Bahrain has summoned Iran's charge d'affaires to protest against what it called a "gross violation of its sovereignty" in a row after Tehran criticised efforts by Gulf Arab states to forge closer political and military union.

Heads of state met in Riyadh on Monday to discuss a call by Saudi King Abdullah to unite the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to counter Iran's growing influence in the Middle East and neutralise any threat of revolts by Shia communities in their countries.

They failed to agree on further integration but talks on the matter are to resume later this year.

[AFP]

Tags iran, protests, uprising
4 hours 43 min ago - Bahrain

Bahrain has issued arrest warrants on Wednesday for 20 people in an investigation into home-made bombs that injured policemen combating unrest in the Gulf Arab state.

"The criminal investigations chief announced a list with photos of 20 individuals wanted for terrorist explosions," an interior ministry statement said. "The public prosecution has permitted publishing the images to allow ... speedy arrest(s)."

It said the 20 were suspected of preparing and detonating home-made explosive devices that targeted policemen and injured both security personnel and civilians.

The names of the men, aged from 18 to 38, were obtained from questioning of detainees and other evidence. The interior minister called on citizens to help in the arrest of the men by calling a phone number with information.

[Reuters]

Tags iran, protests, uprising
8 hours 10 min ago - Bahrain

Prominent Bahraini rights activist Nabeel Rajab told a court on Wednesday that a charge that he tweeted insults against the government was "vindictive," as dozens of lawyers turned up to defend him.

"The charge against me is vindictive and is due to my rights activism," Rajab told a judge at Manama's Minor Criminal Court, insisting the decision to arrest and try him was political, according to witnesses.

"I only practiced my right to free expression. I did not commit a crime.  The decision to arrest me and put me on trial was a political decision," he said.

More than 50 lawyers, both men and women, gathered at the court to defend Rajab, who has been leading protests following a brutal crackdown on Shia-led demonstrations against the Sunni Al-Khalifa dynasty in March 2011.

The judge adjourned the trial to Sunday, and ordered Rajab to stay behind bars.

Rajab, who heads the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR), was detained on May 5 for "insulting a statutory body via Twitter". He also faces a trial for taking part in a Manama demonstration three months ago.

Tags Government, protests, sunni
1 day 1 hour ago - Bahrain

Iran warned on Tuesday that Riyadh's plans to form a union with Manama would deepen the crisis in Bahrain, a day after Saudi Arabia told Tehran to keep out of its relations with the tiny Gulf kingdom.

"Any kind of foreign intervention or non-normative plans without respecting people's vote will only deepen the already existing wounds," foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said in a statement carried by Iranian media.

"The solution to the crisis in Bahrain is in response to the legitimate demands of the people and is fulfilling them," he added, repeating Tehran's stance on the situation in the Gulf Arab state.

Iran "believes that the real power of the regional nations emanates from (governments) enjoying their peoples' backing," the spokesman added.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said on Monday that "Iran has nothing to do with what happens between the two countries, even if it develops into a unity."

- Agence France Presse

Tags Gulf, iran, Saudi Arabia
2 days 25 min ago - Cairo

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal has said that Iran should keep out of the kingdom's relations with Shia-majority Bahrain, even if the two states decide to form a union.

"Iran has nothing to do with what happens between the two countries, even if it develops into a unity," he told reporters at the end of a Gulf Co-operation Council consultative summit to discuss turning the bloc into a union.

Iranian MPs earlier on Monday condemned the planned union between the two Arab countries of the Gulf.

[Source: AFP]

Tags Bahrain, iran, Saudi Arabia
3 days 1 hour ago - Manama

The wife of a jailed Bahraini activist on hunger strike for more than three months says his condition appears better, but he is still only taking water and juice in his protest against government crackdowns in the Gulf kingdom.

Khadija al-Musawi says she visited her husband, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, for about two hours Sunday.

Al-Khawaja and seven other activists were sentenced to life in prison by a military-led court last year for participating in the uprising by Bahrain's majority Shias, who seek to end the political dominance of the ruling Sunni dynasty.

The convictions for the group, and about a dozen others, are now being reviewed by a civilian court.

At least 50 people have died in Bahrain's unrest since February 2011.

[Source: AP]

Tags Abdulhadi alKhawaja, Bahrain, hunger strike
3 days 9 hours ago - Bahrain

Bahrain has extended the detention of rights activist Nabeel Rajab for participating in a January anti-government rally, his lawyer said on Sunday, after he was arrested over tweets deemed insulting to the government.

Rajab was detained earlier this month for releasing tweets deemed insulting to the government, but the public prosecution ordered his detention extended by "one week" on Saturday for participating in the January demonstration, his lawyer Mohamed al-Jishi said.

The official BNA news agency confirmed the order.

He also faces a trial, the second hearing for which is to be held on May 22, for participating in a separate demonstration three months ago in Manama.

BNA, quoting a public prosecution official, said that in the January rally Rajab "made a public speech in which he called for a demonstration against authorities and to use violence against security forces."

His speech "triggered an illegal gathering aimed at undermining security, blocking roads, and attacking policemen," the official was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, Rajab is also to face a new trial starting May 16 over his tweets, his lawyer said.

Rajab was arrested at the airport on May 5, as he returned from Lebanon, for "insulting a statutory body via Twitter," Jishi had said earlier.

- Agence France Presse

Tags Bahrain Center for Human Rights, Nabeel Rajab
3 days 9 hours ago - Bahrain

The wife of a jailed Bahraini activist on hunger strike for more than three months says his condition appears better, but he is still only taking water and juice in his protest against government crackdowns in the Gulf kingdom.

Khadija al-Musawi says she visited her husband, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, for about two hours Sunday.

- Associated Press

Tags Abdul Hadi al Khawaja, Bahrain Center for Human Rights
4 days 5 hours ago - Bahrain
Tags al Wefaq, Manama, opposition, protest
4 days 14 hours ago - Bahrain

Bahrain's Al Wefaq opposition released this statement on Saturday morning, regarding a protest on Friday:

"We remain committed to our rightful and legitimate demands for democracy, which must be realised through an elected government, a parliament with full legislative powers, fair electoral constituencies, an independent judiciary and security for all citizens.

We emphasize on the peaceful approach adopted by the pro-democracy movement in achieving these demands and condemn violence whoever is responsible. 

The principle of peace is highly respected by the Pearl Revolution in its struggle for justice, freedom and democracy. This valuable approach is the most and only effective way to oppose the unjustifiable brutality that is being practiced consistently by Bahrain Security Forces against those seeking democracy."

Tags al Wefaq, Manama
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