Police, protesters clash in Bahrain before race

“Bahrain is ready to host the F1 and there are no security issues,” a government spokeswoman says”

AFP/Manama

Bahraini opposition protesters seeking to highlight pro-reform demands clashed with police yesterday as Formula One Grand Prix practice sessions passed unhindered by the unrest, away from the circuit.

Meanwhile, Bahrain said it was expelling three journalists working for Britain’s ITV television for “violating the laws and regulations” of the kingdom.

The measure was taken “to ensure preserving the national security of Bahrain”, an Information Affairs Authority statement added.

Supporters of the radical February 14 Revolution Youth Coalition, a clandestine cyber-group that had called for a “Day of Rage”, tried to march on the former Pearl Square in Manama, the focal point of Shia-led anti-government protests in February and March 2011.

Police fired teargas and shotguns to disperse them before they neared the area, witnesses said, but no casualties were reported.

The movement’s supporters—armed with petrol bombs and stones—clashed with police in Shia villages outside the capital and burnt tyres to block main roads, the sources said.

All of the violence was at a distance from the Sakhir race circuit, south of Manama, where practice sessions passed unaffected.

Meanwhile, thousands of supporters of the more moderate Shia opposition bloc Al Wefaq marched peacefully on the Budaya highway, 4km west of Manama, which links a string of Shia villages with the capital.

Al Wefaq had urged on its Twitter page that participants demonstrate in a “disciplined and civilised way that suits our people”.

Police did not intervene.

Security forces have been on high alert during days of protests to prevent clashes from marring the race, which is seen as a booster to the image and economy of the kingdom.

Checkpoints were set up at major intersections, particularly on roads leading to the F1 circuit.

The world motorsport’s governing body the FIA and promoters Formula One Management said the race should take place tomorrow, despite the demonstrations.

“The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and Formula One Management (FOM) wish to jointly confirm their belief that the Bahrain GP should go ahead this weekend, following assurances from the local promoter and the authorities that security, their responsibility, will be guaranteed for all participants,” a statement read.

Bahrain was rocked by month-long protests in early 2011.

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.

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.”

Bahrain International Circuit chairman Zayed Alzayani said he hoped to fill the grandstands for the race tomorrow, insisting it was safe to go ahead with the event.

In London, ITV said a five-strong team, which had the necessary visas to work, were filming when they were detained. It said they were questioned, released and questioned again before being told they must leave the country or face prison.

“Having filed a report last night, they were stopped while filming this morning and taken to a local police station for discussions with officers,” a spokeswoman said.

“They have since been asked to leave the country, which they are in the process of doing.”

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