Bahrain: petition detainees released

The authorities in Bahrain on Wednesday released some 14 detainees who were arrested on April 30 in centers of gathering signatures on a petition calling for constitutional amendments.

The release decisions of the detainees came following a meeting held between the King of Bahrain Hamad Bin Issa al-Khaleifa with heads of political associations. Sheikh Ali Salman, the chairman of the Islamic national reconciliation association said that the "news to release them ( the detainees) pleased all. It is the beginning of a new era," adding " all of them are in their homes."

However, heads of political associations in Bahrain said yesterday following their meeting with the King that the issue of the petition's detainees is settled. Sheikh Salman said " the meeting with the King was positive. We talked about several issues facing citizens like abrogating certain laws and stressed continued dialogue between the government and the political forces."