DUBAI: Massive violent protests and tensions broke out between Bahrain's Shiite majority and its Sunni rulers after the country executed three men who were found guilty of killing three policemen. The three Shiites were killed by a firing squad, six days after a court upheld their death sentences over a bomb attack in March 2014.
Shiite villages broke out in protests after the deed was carried out. Demonstrators blocked roads with burning tyres and police retaliated by firing tear gas. The internet erupted with pictures showing relatives of those executed weeping. International news agencies do not have the authority to cover events in Bahrain independently. The move came a day after protests began following rumours that the accused were going to be put to death. London-based human rights group Reprieve said the death sentences are the first in six years in the Gulf kingdom ruled over by the Al-Khalifa dynasty for more than two centuries. It said that the executions went ahead "despite serious concerns that their convictions were based on evidence obtained under torture." Director Maya Foa said, "It is nothing short of an outrage, and a disgraceful breach of international law, that Bahrain has gone ahead with these executions."
The executed men have been identified as Sami Mushaima, 42, Ali al-Singace, 21, and Abbas al-Samea, 27. Seven other defendants received life terms. Iran's foreign ministry criticised Bahraini authorities for what it called an "inconsiderate action". Hezbollah, Lebanon's Shiite movement, backed by Iran, called the incident a "crime committed by the regime against the Bahraini people." "It is clear that this execution will destroy every chance for a political exit out of Bahrain's crisis, and leads the country into an unknown future, threatening stability in Bahrain and the whole region," it said.
The European Union also condemned the sentences and released a statement saying, "This case is a serious drawback given that Bahrain had suspended executions for... years, and concerns have been expressed about possible violations of the right to a fair process for the three convicted."
Head of advocacy at the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy, Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei said, "This is a black day in Bahrain's history." Men and women took to the streets after families of the three were summoned to meet them in prison.
