Manama: Bahraini leaders have pledged a zero-tolerance policy towards "instigators", saying that there would be "a strict application of the law against those who seek to stall the country's progress."
Praising the role of the army and the police, King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa said that laws would be applied without hesitation, particularly that there are ample possibilities in Bahrain for Bahrainis to express themselves freely and legally.
"There is a need to put an end to all forms of incitement by some instigators who abuse our sons," King Hamad said on Friday evening as he received senior police and army staff. "These instigators assume fully the responsibilities of their terrible acts. The interior ministry has to take the necessary measures to stop them and preserve social peace, safeguard our children and protect our nation and people."
Earlier on the day, the authorities arrested Abdul Jalil Al Singace, the spokesperson for Haq Movement for Civil Liberties and Democracy, upon his return from London with his wife and daughters.
The authorities have not yet explained the reason for the arrest, but the police on Friday afternoon had to break up a protest organized in front of Al Singace's home in Karbabad, a small village to the west of Manama, the capital.
Instigating unrest
Al Singace was arrested last year alongside Hassan Mushaima, Haq secretary general, and more than 30 supporters for their alleged role in instigating unrest and fomenting instability.
However, they were later released as part of a general pardon by the king that also covered around 170 people also arrested in security-related cases. A controversy followed the king's amnesty as the fate of dozens of detainees from Maameer and Karzakan, allegedly implicated in the murder of two Pakistani nationals, was not immediately known. The two groups were eventually told that they were not covered by the general pardon and needed the approval of the victims' families before they could be allowed to go home.
Haq has never supported Bahrain's new constitution promulgated in 2002. The movement was formed in 2005 by a group of former members of Al Wefaq, Bahrain's largest political society and parliamentary bloc. The members splintered from Al Wefaq when it said that it recognised the political societies law and agreed to register officially with the justice and Islamic affairs ministry to take part in the 2006 elections, four years after boycotting them.
Haq has opposed the elections and has steadily vowed not to be part of the current political system.
Elections in October
Bahrain will hold its parliamentary and municipal elections on October 23 with the second round on October 30. Voters will elect 40 lawmakers and 40 municipal councilors.
Most political societies said that they would take part in the elections amid pledges to announce the names of their candidates this week. The two leading Sunni societies, Al Menbar and Al Asala, said that they would field most of their current lawmakers, while the top bloc, Al Wefaq, has given out 10 names and will announce the other remaining names, expected to be seven, this week.
Amal, the second largest Shiite society that boycotted the 2002 and 2006 elections, said that it would say this week whether it would be running.
