The Capital, Northern and Central Governorate Police Directorates have summoned the organizers of authorized rallies held by Al Wefaq National Islamic Society on a number of highways in the Kingdom, Chief of Public Security Major-General Tariq Hassan Al Hassan, announced.
Al Wefaq is being held accountable for the events that unfolded at the rallies today including acts of vandalism that endangered motorists.
Chief Al Hassan said that groups of participants left the authorized routes to cause damage to private and public property, block roads and obstruct traffic, in clear violation of the law that endangered public security and general order. The vandals’ acts contradicted Al Wefaq’s promises to hold peaceful rallies that they had committed to in their request letters.
The Chief said that when the police approached the vandals they were attacked with petrol bombs, metal rods and rocks. The vandals also burned tires and damaged lampposts. The special security forces intervened to restore order and reopen the roads.
Chief Al Hassan reaffirmed that public gatherings and freedom of expression are protected under the Constitution and Bahraini law as long as those public gatherings do not violate the security, general order and economic interests of the Kingdom.
Chief Al Hassan reiterated that the freedom of expression should be exercised in a peaceful, civilized manner.