Bahrainis stage rallies to voice solidarity with political prisoners
Dozens of demonstrators in Bahrain have taken to the streets across the tiny Persian Gulf country to express solidarity with political prisoners and jailed activists, especially prominent opposition figure Sheikh Ali Salman.
On Saturday, protesters staged a rally in the village of Sitra, south of the capital, Manama, shouting “We Won’t Leave Prisoners Alone” as they called for the immediate release of the inmates.
Regime forces rushed to the scene shortly afterwards, and attacked the demonstrators. They also fired tear gas canisters to break up the protest.
People also held a similar demonstration in the village of al-Musalla, west of Manama, demanding the freedom of Salman, who is the 49-year-old secretary general of Bahrain’s main opposition bloc, the al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, and other political prisoners.
Salman was detained last December on charges including seeking regime change and collaborating with foreign powers. He denied the charges during his first court hearing on January 28.
His arrest has triggered condemnation inside and outside Bahrain, with leaders, governments and international organizations across the world calling for his immediate release.
Salman’s trial, initially scheduled for April 22, has been adjourned until May 20.
Additionally, protesters formed a human chain in the village of Abu Sabi’ to express their outrage over Al Khalifa regime’s heavy handed crackdown on political activists in the kingdom.
Last month, Amnesty International called on the Bahraini regime to release all political prisoners.
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.
MP/HMV
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