Bahrein : affrontements dans tout le pays après la mort d’un manifestant

Bahrein : affrontements dans tout le pays après la mort d’un manifestant

Des affrontements ont opposé la police et des manifestants dans plusieurs localités chiites de Bahreïn où 41 policiers et plusieurs manifestants ont été blessés, ont indiqué mercredi les deux bords.

Dans un communiqué, le ministère de l’Intérieur a affirmé que la police anti-émeutes avait été attaquée mardi soir par "des hommes et des femmes masqués" et armés de pierres et de cocktails Molotov, notamment à Duraz, Sanabis, Dair et Al-Ekr.

Ces attaques "reflètent une grave escalade dans les tactiques violentes de groupes et individus qui soutiennent l’opposition", a ajouté le ministère, faisant état d’au moins 41 policiers blessés.

Auparavant, le chef de la sécurité générale Tarek al-Hassan, cité par l’agence officielle BNA, avait indiqué que "des groupes de saboteurs ont bloqué des routes dans plusieurs villages mardi soir et commis des actes terroristes", utilisant notamment "des cocktails Molotov".

Plusieurs saboteurs ont été arrêtés, a ajouté le responsable.

Selon Matar Matar, un dirigeant du principal mouvement de l’opposition chiite, al-Wefaq, des affrontements ont eu lieu dans au moins quatre villages chiites.

Plusieurs personnes ont été blessées, dont un jeune homme grièvement atteint à la tête par l’explosion d’une grenade lacrymogène, a précisé M. Matar à l’AFP.

Le 31 décembre, un adolescent avait été tué par une grenade lacrymogène qui lui avait explosé au visage, selon al-Wefaq. Le gouvernement avait alors annoncé qu’une enquête aurait lieu pour éclaircir les circonstances de sa mort.

M. Matar a indiqué que les violences de mardi soir étaient intervenues après des appels à "affronter" les forces de sécurité lancés par des activistes via les réseaux sociaux.

Des vidéos mises en ligne sur le site d’al-Wefaq ont montré des membres de la police anti-émeute dispersant violemment des manifestants dans les villages chiites de Sitra et Bani Jamra, aux environs de Manama.

Les manifestations menées par des opposants chiites ont repris ces dernières semaines dans ce petit royaume gouverné par une dynastie sunnite.

Traffic chaos as clashes continue

TRAFFIC was disrupted after fresh clashes broke out across the country yesterday as anti-government protesters continued their rampage.

There were reports of trouble in Sitra, Malkiya, Karzakhan, and protesters blocked roads in Jidhafs, Jid Ali, Saar, Daih, Sanabis, Bilad Al Qadeem, Maqaba, Bani Jamra, Duraz, Dair and Budaiya.

Masked youths also set fire to tyres in Salmabad and blocked Shaikh Isa bin Salman Highway in Tubli heading towards Saudi Arabia at around 7pm.

The GDN yesterday reported 41 policemen suffered serious injuries as masked youths went on the rampage across Bahrain on Tuesday.

The renewed clashes came as the General Director of Central Governorate Police announced that Mohammed Ibrahim Yacoup, 19, who was one of several arrested for rioting in Sitra on Wednesday evening, died of natural causes at Salmaniya Medical Complex.

As soon as Mohammed was arrested he stated that he suffered from sickle cell anaemia. Police immediately called an ambulance which took him to a hospital. He was provided with all necessary and appropriate medical care but he died as a result of his disease.

The Public Prosecution was notified and a medical examiner performed an autopsy.

Police denied early this morning claims by Al Wefaq that Mohammed was run over by a police car while he was being arrested after trying to escape with another person.

A video and medical report provided by the Health Ministry showed his body was free of injuries, they said.

However, relatives lodged a complaint with the Public Prosecution claiming police were responsible for his death.

They claimed Mohammed was hit by patrol cars when he clashed with police in Sitra on Wednesday, said lawyer

Zahra Masood.

The complaint was lodged by Mohammed’s father and two uncles, who were accompanied by Ms Masood. The father broke down and was unable to speak, but the two uncles testified, Ms Masood stated on Twitter.

They requested Mohammed’s body be examined for evidence by an independent expert, but were reportedly refused permission, she claimed.

Speaking in court, Ms Masood said she would submit video evidence in the case.

Meanwhile, various embassies have issued travel advisories warning their citizens to exercise caution and avoid troubled areas.

The Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada renewed its advice to its Bahrain-based citizens. It states that although most Canadian visitors to Bahrain do not experience problems, travellers should exercise a high degree of caution due to protests and demonstrations and the threat of terrorist attacks.

“Civil unrest involving violent altercations occurred in many parts of Bahrain between February and April 2011,” states its website.

“The potential for civil unrest remains, as highlighted by an increase in demonstrations in January 2012.

“Canadians should exercise particular caution in the lead-up to the first anniversary of the revolution on February 14, 2012.

“Canadians are advised to monitor local media and road conditions, avoid all political gatherings, crowds and demonstrations and stay away from areas where they can occur, as they might turn violent without warning.”