Bahraini forces arrest over dozen protesters on 2011 popular uprising anniversary

Bahraini regime forces have arrested more than a dozen pro-democracy protesters as they participated in rallies across the Persian Gulf kingdom to mark the twelfth anniversary of the 2011 popular uprising against the ruling Al Khalifah regime.

The Ministry of Interior announced in a statement that at least 16 people were detained in recent days, accusing the suspects of participating in what it described as unlawful acts and practices, and alleged they were planning to cause “chaos and vandalism.”

Anti-monarchy demonstrations began on February 14, 2011, and have been held on a regular basis ever since the popular uprising started.

Demonstrators demand that the Al Khalifah regime relinquish power, and a democratic, just system representing all Bahrainis be established