Manama: Riot police in Bahrain stormed an exhibition on Wednesday dedicated to the 2011 protests in the Gulf nation.
The raid came two days after the opening of the museum-style hall, which included scenes depicting Bahrain’s 32-month unrest, such as protesters killed in clashes, alleged torture inside prisons and demonstrators running from tear gas. Organisers said the life-size panels and collections such as personal items were based on well-known sites including Israel’s Holocaust museum Yad Vashem.
A statement from Bahrain Interior Ministry said the exhibition included “incitement material” and legal action could be taken against the sponsors of the event, which was set to close Saturday.
“The theme of the museum irritated authorities as it documents many [incidents] since the uprising in 2011 until now,” said Al Wefaq’s lawyer, Abdullah Al Shamlawi.
More than 65 people have been killed in violence since Bahrain’s opposition launched protests in February 2011 for a greater political voice in the kingdom.
On Monday, police said the explosion of a homemade bomb injured “a number” of police officers, but gave no further details. Meanwhile, international rights groups have called on Bahrain to drop prosecution against a prominent Al Wefaq figure, Khalil Al Marzouqi, who faces charges including allegedly encouraging violence. He denies the claims.
