Following massive arrests and illegal detention of village youth Bahrain adviser says F1 security plans in place

Bahrain adviser says F1 security plans in place
By Michael Casey – 9 April, 2012 – boston.com

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—Security at the Bahrain Grand Prix will be “low key and discreet” but will include plans to deal with potential disruptions, such as demonstrators running onto the course, an adviser to the Gulf Kingdom’s Interior Ministry said Monday.

John Yates, a former assistant commissioner in the London Metropolitan Police Service, told The Associated Press he reviewed the plans for the April 22 race. He said authorities aim to provide adequate security for Bahrain’s biggest sports event without showing overt force.

“It is very much hoped that the policing will be low key and discreet,” Yates said. “But if there are problems, they … must be able to escalate their response if need be. People can be assured that if problems arise, then there will be a plan to deal with that as there would be with any public event in the world.”

The 2011 race at Bahrain International Circuit was canceled because of anti-government protests. The subsequent crackdown left at least 50 people dead.

There are still daily clashes between demonstrators and security forces, but the country’s Sunni rulers are intent on holding the race to show the country is recovering from the protests. The protesters, however, are demanding the race be put off until authorities address their concerns over human rights abuses and greater equality for the Shiite majority.

Yates acknowledges there are “pockets of violence” in Shiite villages but said that “95 percent” of the Gulf island is safe.

He said he expects some protests will be allowed but warns that anyone trying to shut down the race would be treated harshly. …more