Manama: Bahrain Journalists Association (BJA) on Tuesday condemned a dawn attack on a Bahraini journalist and called for his protection.
Jamal Zuwayyed, a columnist with Akhbar Al Khaleej, the oldest newspaper in circulation in Bahrain, said that he was attacked by three masked assailants after he left a mosque in his neighbourhood following the fajr (dawn) prayers.
The attackers hit Jamal, tore his clothes and insulted him using sectarian and racist words, the BJA said.
"We urge the interior ministry to arrest the assailants and present them to the justice so that they serve as an example for anyone who thinks about perpetrating similar criminal acts against any journalist," the BJA said. "We ask that Jamal be provided with protection to ensure his safety."
Hate emails
The association, an umbrella for Bahrain-based journalists, said that it also stood by Huda Hazeem, a columnist for Al Watan daily, who has been targeted by hate emails.
"Those who engage in such despicable acts are sick and should be dealt with," the BJA said.
"We are increasingly worried about the physical and verbal targeting of journalists and the growing number of threats against them because of their political stances. We do need that a strong position be taken against such acts that are alien to the Bahraini society," the BJA said.
