Bahrain opposition to rally as F1 practices kick-off

DUBAI (AFP) –

Tyres placed by anti-regime protestors burn during clashes with riot police on April 18, 2013 in the village of Diraz, west of Bahrain’s capital Manama. Protesting against Sunday’s Grand Prix, the demonstrators chanted: “No Formula on Bahrain’s occupied land. No, no blood Formula.”

Bahrain’s Shiite opposition plans huge protests on Friday to coincide with practice sessions in the run-up to Sunday’s Grand Prix in the Gulf kingdom in a bid to seize world attention for pro-reform demands.

On Thursday night, thousands demonstrated in several areas across Bahrain in yet another day of protests, witnesses said.

“No Formula on Bahrain’s occupied land,” chanted the protesters. “No, no blood Formula.”

Police fired tear gas and stun grenades.

The radical February 14 Revolution Youth Coalition, a clandestine cyber-group, said on Twitter that its supporters had burned tyres and blocked major roads.

Witnesses said protesters had blocked roads near Bahrain International Airport.

A policeman walks past burning tyres during clashes between riot police and protesters against the arrival of Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix on April 18, 2013 in Diraz, west of Bahrain’s capital Manama. Bahrain’s Shiite opposition plans huge protests on Friday to coincide with practice sessions in the run-up to Sunday’s Grand Prix in a bid to seize world attention for pro-reform demands.

Supporters of the more moderate Shiite opposition group Al-Wefaq gathered in the village of Karzakan, three kilometres (1.3 miles) away from Sakhir circuit where the race will take place, but no clashes were reported.

Security forces are on high alert to prevent possible clashes from marring the race. The event is seen as a booster to the image and economy of the tiny Gulf monarchy torn by Arab Spring-inspired unrest.

Checkpoints were set up at major intersections, particularly on roads leading to the Sakhir circuit, south of Manama.

Sunni-ruled Bahrain, home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, was rocked by month-long protests led by the kingdom’s Shiite majority in early 2011. They were crushed with the help of Gulf troops led by neighbouring Saudi Arabia.

The February 14 Coalition has called for Friday to be a “Day of Rage,” urging demonstrators to take to the streets against the “blood Formula.”

Al-Wefaq called for “massive” afternoon protests on the Budaya highway, four kilometres west of Manama, which links a string of Shiite-populated villages with the capital.

Bahraini protesters prepare to throw stones at riot police during clashes over the arrival of Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix on April 18, 2013 in the village of Diraz, west of Manama. Bahrain riot police fired tear gas and stun grenades at protesters who hurled petrol bombs during protests against the staging of the race.

Al-Wefaq members have repeatedly said they do not oppose the event but want their protests to be heard internationally and to press for solidarity from participating teams.

Protesters have intensified their movement over the past week, prompting near-daily clashes with security forces.

Government spokeswoman Samira Rajab said: “Bahrain is ready to host the F1 and there are no security issues,” dismissing the protests as “childish movements implementing Iranian agendas… that will not affect the race.”

Police have been rounding up pro-democracy activists in an attempt to head off protests.

On Thursday, Human Rights Watch accused Formula One of “ignoring rights abuses”. Security forces in Bahrain had “increased their repressive actions in the lead up to the 2013 race,” the group added.

Bahraini riot police clash with protesters opposing the upcoming Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix, in Sanabis on April 13, 2013. Bahrain International Circuit chairman Zayed Alzayani said he hoped to fill the grandstands and to have a crowd of more than 25,000 at the race day Sunday, insisting it was safe to go ahead with the race.

Bahrain International Circuit chairman Zayed Alzayani said he hoped to fill the grandstands and to have a crowd of more than 25,000 at the race day Sunday, insisting it was safe to go ahead with the race.

The event was cancelled in 2011 but went ahead last year.

Strategically situated across the Gulf from Shiite-ruled Iran, Bahrain has continued to witness sporadic demonstrations, now mostly outside the capital.

Human rights groups say a total of 80 people have been killed in the unrest in Bahrain since February 2011.