Manama fire is not political, asylum seekers escaped through Dubai
Bahrain, Local, 7/24/1998

Last Friday's fire in a reservoir in a building in Manama had resulted in damages estimated at US $1.58 million, while the latest fire on Wednesday in a warehouse in Manama caused injuries to two firemen, and the evacuation of several families.

Indications that these fires were politically motivated were denied by Bahraini officials. The official who wanted to remain anonymous stated today that this could not have been a political act since the owner of the warehouse was a Bahraini Shiite Muslim. And since the opposition to the government is Shiite, the official said that would indicate that it was not an act of sabotage. A government official spokesman had said that investigations are underway to determine reasons behind the fire.

On June 28, the state's security court sentenced 16 Bahrainis to one year to four years imprisonment over committing acts of "destruction." Most of them were accused of deliberately setting fire to private or public properties.

Bahrain has frequently witnessed disturbances against the government since December 1994. These acts are led by the Shiite opposition which calls for the reestablishment of parliament, which was dissolved in 1975. The acts have so far resulted in the deaths of 38 persons.

Meanwhile, London this week granted political asylum to three Bahraini citizens who left Bahrain three years earlier. The decision was taken on Tuesday from the minister in the British Ministry of the Interior Lord William. The three Shiite men of religion, Sheikh Ali Salman, Sheikh Hamzeh Ali Qasem al-Deiri and Sayed Haidar Ali al-Sari were sentenced to jail in absentia under charges of attempting to topple the Bahraini government.

The Bahraini official clarified that the three escaped Bahrain to Dubai by boat, and from there to England where up till two months ago, Bahraini citizens could enter England without visa requirements, and "once you've landed in there", then you have human right's protection that is available to you that prevents them from kicking you out, said the official.

Spokesman for the British ministry of the Interior said that the government did not comment on reasons of approving asylum seeking applications or refusing them.

Previous Stories:
  Bahrain stresses its right to Hawar islands in fight with Qatar   (7/8/1998)
  Manama seeks relations with Tehran based on 'respect'   (7/2/1998)
  Sixteen Bahrainis sentenced to imprisonment for acts of violence   (6/29/1998)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search