Manama: Security authorities in Bahrain have arrested three suspects wanted on security-related charges, the interior ministry said early on Friday.
Two of the suspects were arrested in Juffair, in the suburbs of the capital Manama, while the third was apprehended on Exhibition Avenue, one of the city’s busiest areas.
The police said that the third suspect had initially fled during the raid in Juffair, fired at the officers and went to Exhibition Avenue, about two kilometres to the north.
There he attempted to hide in a building, but the police quickly laid siege to it and called in the Special Forces.
The bustling area was cordoned off to ensure the safety of the residents, shoppers and people and to allow the police to arrest the suspect, one officer told Bahrain Television.
The suspect was apprehended and the police said they found the firearm he used to shoot at the officers earlier in his possession.
No casualties among the officers or suspects were reported.
The interior ministry posted tweets, reposted by Bahrain News Agency (BNA) as the dramatic events unfolded at around midnight, allowing the public, aware that the Exhibition Avenue, was off limits to monitor the situation live.
MP Adel Al Assoomi, the lawmaker representing the district in the lower chamber of the bicameral parliament, said he was particularly thankful that the unprecedented drama ended without injuries.
“I am thankful to the ministry for the special care they deployed to ensure the safety of the residents,” he said.
