'No Satan worshippers in Bahrain'

Manama: A senior security officer has denied the existence of Satan-worshippers in Bahrain, stressing that "thorough investigations" have concluded that media reports were a case of erroneous interpretations.

"We have heard claims about Bahrain-based worshippers engaging in bizarre Satanic rituals, particularly among high school students. The rumours gained in intensity after imams made fiery statements at several mosques," head of the Criminal Investigation Department Farooq Al Mouawda said yesterday in a statement to the press.

'Not true'

"We have had religious leaders accusing the security authorities of eroding morals in the kingdom's high schools by failing to take stringent action against teenagers indulging in drugs, alcohol and orgies," he said. "None of that is true."

Investigations launched by the police revealed that the claim about students worshipping Satan was based on rumours initiated by their classmates, said Al Mouawda.

The officer said a claim about their presence in Bahrain was made after a group of teenagers were spotted dancing in a night club wearing tee-shirts with skull and crossbones painted on them.

"It was just a disco party and the teenagers were having fun while wearing what they regarded as fashionable clothes. They were not linked to any sort of Satanism or cult group," he said.