US expresses concern over arrests of Opposition leaders in Bahrain

The US has said that it is troubled by the arrest of Bahraini Opposition leaders and asked its government to ensure the security of all arrestees.

“The United States is deeply troubled by the arrests of Bahraini Opposition leaders and others,” the State Department spokesman, Mr Mark Toner, said.

He expressed particular concern about the arrests of Mr Ibrahim Sharif, leader of Wa’ad, a recognised political society, and Mr Ali Al-Ekri, a doctor at Bahrain’s largest public hospital, Salmaniya Medical Center, who was arrested after criticising hospital conditions.

“We call on the Government of Bahrain to ensure the security of person of all arrestees and to abide by its commitment to transparent judicial proceedings conducted in full accordance with Bahraini law and Bahrain’s international legal obligations,” Mr Toner said in a statement.

The US also called on security forces to cease violence, especially on medical personnel and facilities.

“Protesters, too, must engage peacefully and responsibly. The Bahraini Government must exercise maximum restraint as it deals with this situation and must ensure that GCC forces do so as well,” he said.

“As we have previously noted, a solution to Bahrain’s problems will not be found through security measures. We reiterate our call for a peaceful and broadly inclusive political dialogue aimed at bringing about a purely “made-in-Bahrain” solution and implementation of the kind of meaningful and credible reforms that will meet the aspirations of all Bahraini people,” Mr Toner added.

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