Bahrain Reformist Party Leader Escapes Regime Assassination Attempt

Bahrain opposition says leader injured as police stop protesters from holding rally
22 June, 2012 – By Associated Press

MANAMA, Bahrain — Bahraini riot police fired tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets Friday, injuring the head of the Shiite majority’s main political bloc while trying to break up protests in the country’s capital, the opposition said.

Al Wefaq’s secretary-general Sheik Ali Salman told The Associated Press 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.

Hassan al-Marzooq, another opposition leader, was hit in the neck by a rubber bullet, an 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, the first time that the Bahrain security forces had done so.

“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.” …more