In Photos: Bahraini Police Attack Opposition Leaders
Bahraini riot police fired tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets Friday, injuring the head of the opposition main political bloc while trying to break up protests in the country's capital.
Al-Wefaq's Secretary General Sheik Ali Salman informed "The Associated Press" that he was hit in the shoulder and back by either a tear gas canister or stun grenade during demonstrations in Manama, which are common following Friday prayers. He had red welts on his skin but seemed otherwise in good health. Al-Wefaq had earlier said that rubber bullets had caused the injury.
He said he was leading about 40 protesters on the way to a march when they encountered police who ordered them to disperse and then started firing into the crowd.
Sheikh Salman was participating in a peaceful protest under the banner "We will defeat you with our peaceful movement." The forces targeted anyone who was moving on the ground with brutal and barbaric repression.
Moreover, the police forces besieged the area of protest, blocking all routes leading to it.
"Hassan al-Marzooq, another opposition leader, was hit in the neck by a rubber bullet," al-Wefaq statement said. He has since been taken to a private hospital in the capital for treatment.
Salman said the leaders had been intentionally targeted.
"More violations will complicate our efforts for reconciliation and a meaningful dialogue," he said. "We continue our democratic demands and call for universal human rights principles through peaceful assemblies. It is the people's right."
Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org
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