News / Persian Gulf

Bahraini police fire tear gas at F1 protesters

Sunday, 19 April 2015 9:48 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 19 April 2015 9:48 AM ]

A protester throws back a tear gas canister during clashes with police following a demonstration in Bahrain, February 13, 2015. © AFP

Bahraini regime forces have clashed with anti-government protesters as the country gears up to host the Formula One Grand Prix.

On Saturday, the Manama regime forces clashed with protesters in several villages around the capital ahead of the upcoming car-racing event, the Lebanese al-Manar website reported.

In the northern village of al-Daih, police fired tear gas to break up angry protesters who were throwing Molotov cocktails.

The protesters, who were chanting slogans against the authorities’ decision to keep the Bahrain Grand Prix on the Formula One calendar, also called for the release of Sheikh Ali Salman, the secretary general of Bahrain’s main opposition party, al-Wefaq.

Sheikh Salman was arrested on December 28, 2014, after Manama accused him of seeking regime change and collaborating with foreign powers.

According to the report, several people were injured or arrested during the crackdown.

Bahrainis say the Formula 1 governing body, the FIA, should cancel the event over Manama’s ongoing crackdown on protests.

A Bahraini protestor holds a banner against the upcoming Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix during an anti-regime rally in the village of Malkiya, south of Manama, April 6, 2013. © AFP

The 2011 race was canceled amid a heavy crackdown on pro-democracy protests in the kingdom.

Since mid-February 2011, thousands of anti-regime protesters have held numerous demonstrations on the streets of Bahrain, calling for the Al Khalifa family to relinquish power.

Scores of Bahrainis have been killed and hundreds of others injured and arrested in the ongoing crackdown on peaceful demonstrations.

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