Hundreds protest in Bahrain after security forces allegedly beat activist

[News_Editor]

Hundreds protest in Bahrain after security forces allegedly beat activist

2012-01-09 06:08:44 GMT+7 (ICT)

MANAMA, BAHRAIN (BNO NEWS) -- Hundreds of pro-democracy demonstrators in Bahrain on Saturday took to the streets of the capital Manama after a human rights activist was allegedly beaten by security forces, officials and witnesses said on Sunday.

The protests were organized by the Shi'ite majority's protest movement and took place throughout the capital of Manama, despite laws which require protesters to seek government approval before holding a demonstration. At least several hundred people took part in the protest.

The protests on Saturday came as police forces are being accused of beating prominent protester Nabeel Rajab, who runs the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR). He was hospitalized on Friday with injuries to the head, back and chest but has since fully recovered.

The Center claimed that Rajab was beaten by security forces while participating in a protest in Manama, but police officials have rejected those claims. The government also released a video on Saturday in which police officers are apparently seen helping him to an ambulance.

According to the Bahraini government, Rajab was participating in an unauthorized demonstration when security forces fired tear gas to disperse the protesters. The human rights activist was then apparently pushed by protesters as they tried to flee the scene.

"When the demonstrators didn't disperse, tear gas was fired and they began to flee," the country's Information Affairs Authority said in a statement. "Very soon after this the video shows Nabeel Rajab seated on the ground against a wall. Police say he was complaining of an injury. The police are shown in the video helping Nabeel Rajab to an ambulance."

The statement said officers initially walked Rajab to an ambulance, but he then continued unassisted while talking on his mobile phone. "Nowhere in the video can any serious injuries be seen, either before he reaches the ambulance or when he is filmed leaving the hospital towards the end of the video," the Authority added.

Bahrain's social unrest began after protesters called for a "Day of Rage" on February 14, 2011, to mark the 10th anniversary of the National Action Charter, which returned the country to constitutional rule after the 1990s uprisings.

Initially, people took to the streets to demand reform and the introduction of a constitutional monarchy, but later they began to call for the removal of the royal family. Bahrain is ruled by the Sunni Muslim al-Khalifa family, but two-thirds of its population is Shiite.

In March, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait deployed their troops to Bahrain to reinforce a massive armed crackdown on the popular uprising. More than 25 people were killed, hundreds were arrested and thousands were injured in the government-authorized violence.

In November 2011, the Bahraini government admitted in a statement that it used 'excessive force' against pro-democracy protesters and mistreated detainees during protests. "We cannot condone mistreatment and abuses by our officials. There will be no impunity. All those responsible for abuses will be held accountable," the Bahrain Information Affairs Authority said at the time.

According to the statement in November, Bahraini prosecutors launched at least 20 prosecutions against police officers who were allegedly involved in the abuse. It also said four police officers were killed during the unrest while 846 others were injured.

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