BBC News - Bahrain opposition leadership 'systematically targeted' - 0 views
www.bbc.co.uk/...world-middle-east-24999699
bbc bahrain arab spring crisis policy culture peaceful opposition
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The head of the main Shia political society in Bahrain has told the BBC that the opposition leadership is being systematically targeted by the state.
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Khalil Marzook, is on trial for inciting youth violence and trying to overthrow the Sunni-led government.
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"Khalil and the Wefaq party have always advocated a peaceful path to democracy and condemn violence," he insisted.
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In February 2011, many Bahrainis inspired by the Arab Spring gathered at the prominent Pearl Roundabout in the capital Manama calling for democratic reforms.
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Many were from the majority Shia community, which has long complained of being marginalised by the Sunni royal family.
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These included the prosecution of security forces personnel responsible for torture and the deaths of detainees, the release prisoners of conscience, and the reinstatement of dismissed Shia workers.
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"The torture continues, unfair trials continue," he added. "Nearly 3,000 people are in jail and the numbers increase all the time.
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But the idea is very clear. The authorities are saying we can put any one of you in jail whenever we want. "And this is their plan, to put all the opposition under pressure, target the leadership and put us in jail or force us out of the country or take away our citizenship." Mr Salman warned that if they jailed peaceful opposition leaders from groups such as Wefaq, only hardliners would remain and that would lead to more and more violence.
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As a result, terrorists who are trained by Hezbollah in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Iran, took advantage and threatened the safety of civilians in Bahrain