Bahrain authorities detain human rights lawyer

Bahrain's main opposition party says authorities have detained a prominent human rights lawyer as part of a widening crackdown on anti-government activists. Al Wefaq group says Mohammad Al Tajer was taken into custody on Saturday. Al Tajer has represented hundreds of clients against the state, including activists accused of plotting against the regime. Hundreds of political figures, doctors and others have been detained. Ex-champion arrested Al Wefaq also said a former bodybuilding champion was also detained. Tarek Al Fursani, a gold medallist in several Asian championships, was arrested at his home in a village east of Manama late on Saturday. Meanwhile, Bahrain's official news agency says dozens of civil servants will face "legal action" for participating in anti-government protests in the kingdom. The state-run Bahrain News Agency says 111 employees of the Education Ministry have been fired as part of a wide-ranging crackdown on the Shiite opposition that staged street marches and strikes against the Sunni rulers calling for greater rights and freedoms. Sunday's report says the employees will be prosecuted for "flagrant violations" of the country's civil service law. It also says the Teacher's Union strike last month was politically motivated and aimed at "crippling schools".