'Al Khalifa regime at war with Bahrainis'
The trial of 21 Bahrainis shows the Manama regime is at war with all the protesters as they all want an end to the rule of Al Khalifa family, a Bahraini political activist says.
This is not the first time the Al Khalifa regime has detained Bahrainis. They have done this many times before as they are always engaged in a war with Bahrainis, said Saeed al-Shehabi of the London-based Bahrain Freedom Movement in a Press TV interview.
“If this time they want to put to trial these 21 individuals, then they should try all the 200 to 300,000 protesters who are calling for the downfall of the regime,” he said.
He was referring to a closed-door military court hearing on Sunday when 21 Bahraini human rights activists were charged with attempted subversion, with the allegation that they tried to overthrow the ruling monarchy.
The court has been adjourned until Thursday and lawyers for the accused activists have been ordered not to talk to the press.
Analysts say the move reflects an attempt by the ruling regime to show that Bahrain’s Saudi-backed forces have managed to silence the opposition.
Shehabi emphasized that the detainees are kept for long periods of time “in torture chambers, tortured and then killed.”
Human rights groups have denounced the massive clampdown on opposition activists that seek greater rights and legislative representation. Dozens have been killed since anti-government protests began in February.
As Saudi-backed crackdown in Bahrain continues, authorities have cut off electricity to Sitra Island after troops surrounded several villages there.
Meanwhile, Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has pledged to end the 3-month emergency rule 15 days earlier on June 1, apparently under intense pressure of the prolonged protest rallies and the growing global awareness about the brutal crackdown on protesters by the Saudi-backed regime forces.
Source: presstv.ir
