Bahrain denies request to hold rally over alleged harassment

Bahrain's security authorities on Saturday announced that it had denied permission to the main opposition group, Al Wefaq National Islamic Society, to hold a mass rally in Eker. Officials from the Interior Ministry have further warned that those who defy the ban will face legal action. The general director of the Central Governorate Police said that Al Wefaq had submitted a request to the directorate to hold a rally in Eker on Sunday. After reviewing the security plans and the law on public assemblies, "it was decided not to grant permission," the official said, adding that it was illegal to take part in the rally. Al Wefaq has been pushing for a week to hold a rally in Eker in solidarity with residents in the area, who they claim are subjected to increasing harassment from the police. Police restrictions have been imposed since last week in East and West Eker after a policeman was killed by a home-made explosive. As part of investigations, police set up check-points to identify drivers who led to the arrest of seven suspects. The restrictions have eased, but opposition groups said that they intended to "break the Eker siege." Officials on Thursday announced the death of another policeman from serious burns he sustained during a domestic terrorist attack in Karzakan this April. The deceased had been sent abroad to receive treatment. Since the beginning of the unrest in February last year, more than 1,500 police officers in Bahrain have been injured in the line of duty. "During the month of May to August, 115 police officers suffered injuries requiring medical treatment, with 56 of them suffering serious life changing injuries that include severe burns on over 90 percent of their bodies," the Information Affairs Authority stated.