No section is targeted, says Minister

Manama : Rebuffing the claims of targeting the Shia sect in Bahrain, Interior Minister Lieutenant General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa said the recent security procedures weren’t new, as the State was taking the necessary steps to ensure security and support the development and reformation of the country. 

He was speaking during an open meeting held at the Public Security Officer’s Club in Gudaibiya yesterday.

“The procedures aren’t targeting a sect or seeking revenge. They followed professional investigations that lasted for years. There’s no one above the law and the law takes its own course,” the Minister clarified.

Noting some of the negative responses of some foreign countries to the recent security procedures, he said, “Those were biased stances based on inaccurate information or misinformation provided by individuals who work against the State. We have noticed many similar steps taken by countries worldwide to protect their security and stability that were not criticised by anyone in the international community.”   “In fact, some of those countries received offers of assistance to prosecute lawbreakers, who acted against the State.” 

Shaikh Rashid insisted that the main goal is to protect Bahrain’s political gains, which came along with His Majesty the King’s reforming project, adding that some are targeting this purely national initiative for no justified reasons.

 Iranian threats

Speaking on growing Iranian threats and interference in Bahrain’s affairs, he said: “Their statements target sectarian and religious segregation. About 124 hostile statements were made against Bahrain by Iranian officials in the first eight months of 2016. That’s in addition to sheltering and training wanted individuals.” 

“So we need to take the necessary procedures to curb this interference in our domestic affairs. This led us to create additional regulations in our dealings with Iran to limit its interference in our internal affairs.  Ours is a sovereign State governed by the rule of law.   It is high time Iran ceased interference and respected our sovereignty,” Shaikh Rashid stressed.

The Minster also spoke about the need to combat terrorism and extremism, fighting drugs and narcotics and curbing the emerging cybercrimes.

He also announced that a day would be allocated for security officials within the ministry to meet community members to discuss security-related topics, adding that the step comes as part of the ministry’s community partnership efforts.