Escalating Clashes in Bahrain Amid Deportations and Arrests

Amnesty International released a statement drawing attention to the detained activists who are at risk of being maltreated. The statement details the arrests of Amin Jaffar Swar, Mutaher Saeed Taher Ahmed, and Mohammed Makky, who witnesses say, “were beaten with batons by the police during their arrest, first inside and then outside their car.” Additionally, “Naji Fateel, a human rights activist working for the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights, Hassen Jaber, a blogger and Abdullah Abdulkarim al-Fardan, another activist, were among those who were caught in teargas and then arrested.” In other news, Bahrain has deported four more foreigners, raising the total number to 12 over the last week. ”Tighe Barry, William James Kelly, Susan Medea Benjaim and Elaine Murtagh obtained visas upon arrival at Bahrain International Airport last week,” an immigration official said. “The visas were issued for the purposes of tourism, but the four foreigners once allowed into the country, participated in illegal demonstrations.” K. Flo Razowsky, U.S. citizen and co-founder of Witness Bahrain, wrote a testimony about her arrest and deportation from Bahrain during the February 14th anniversary of the uprisings.

Meanwhile, despite the continued crackdown on protesters, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said, “Formula One’s governing body can be trusted to make the right decision about racing in Bahrain this year.” Although there has been concern about keeping the scheduled April race in Bahrain, Horner stated “as of today there is a race committed to Bahrain, and therefore we’ll be there.”