Five killed, 30 injured in Diraz violence
Manama : Five people were killed and 30 policemen sustained injuries during clashes between security forces and an illegally gathered mob in Diraz on Tuesday, Public Security Chief Major General Tariq Al Hassan informed during a press conference held here yesterday.
Announcing the details of the security operations conducted to disperse the illegal gathering in Diraz village on Tuesday, Al Hassan said that Iranian-made grenades were used by the mob to attack security forces. Al Hassan confirmed that policemen were attacked by knives, axes, iron rods, fire-bombs and grenades.
“Luckily, one of the grenades didn’t explode, and when examined, it was proven to be made in Iran,” the official said in the conference.
“Interior Ministry exhausted all means to peacefully break up the gathering. Social workers in the villagers were asked to advise the individuals to peacefully end their protest within 48 hours, before force was used,” he explained.
“Intelligence confirmed that wanted fugitives and convicts were among people gathered near Isa Qassim’s residence in Diraz. When security forces proceeded to disperse the crowd, some of the wanted individuals sought refuge in Qassim’s house, where they were arrested,” said Al Hassan.
“This operation has restored order and apprehended the wanted individuals without targeting Qassim,” Al Hassan confirmed.
Key fugitives arrested
The key convict arrested yesterday was Mohammed Al Ajmi, who’s sentenced to 111 years of imprisonment Major General Tariq Al Hassan said yesterday.
Others are arrested were: Salman Ibrahim who’s sentenced to 60 years; Sayed-Redha Hussain sentenced to 20 years; Ahmed Mohammed sentenced to 13 years; Yousif Al Aradi sentenced to 9 years; Mohammed Mahfoudh sentenced to eight years; Sayed-Redha Mahfoudh sentenced to seven years; Hassan Ibrahim sentenced to five years; Osama Al Sagheer sentenced to three years; Hassan Al Alawi sentenced to one year; Mohammed Al Mutghawi sentenced to seven months.
Al Hassan revealed that the arrested individuals were involved jail break, attack of policemen, attempted murder, joining terrorist groups and using, possessing and planting explosives.
Mohammed Mahfoudh, 19
Yousif Al Aradi, 22
Ahmed Mohammed, 22
Sayed-Redha Hussain, 21
Salman Ibrahim, 24
Mohammed Al Ajmi, 23
Osama Al Sagheer, 19
Hassan Ibrahim, 23
Sayed-Redha Mahfoudh, 27
Four bodies identified, peace restored in Diraz
As reported earlier in DT, the illegal gathering of people began near controversial religious cleric Isa Qassim’s residence since last June, after he got his citizenship revoked by a ministerial resolution for harming national security and the Kingdom’s interests.
Since then, several of his supporters gathered near his house in Diraz and surrounding areas and blocked the roads with barricades and other objects.
Al Hassan also said that 286 individuals were arrested in the crackdown and security forces removed the barricades and reopened the blockaded roads in the area.
Four bodies identified
In the conference, Al Hassan announced that four of the five attackers who lost their lives were identified, while investigations continue to confirm the fifth’s identity.
“The bodies of Mohammed Ahmed, Mohammed Nasser, Ahmed Al Asfoor and Mohammed Hamdan were identified and the Public Prosecution was informed about their demise,” the official said explaining that eight of the attackers were admitted to the hospital as they sustained multiple injuries.
He expressed his sorrow for the loss of their lives, explaining that they were victimised and misled by foreign elements who incited the violence.
Peace restored
The Chief confirmed that all obstacles and barricades were removed from the area and that ordinary situations were restored.
“Security forces remain deployed in the area to ensure the safety of civilians. We call up on all parents to ensure the safety of their children and immediately inform the security authorities of any information they may have regarding illegal firearms or dangerous substances that could be used in terrorist acts,” Al Hassan added.
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