Anti-riot police used force to put a stop to protestors marching on Manama square on Saturday in Bahrain. They used buckshot, sound grenades and tear gas as the demonstrators were attempting to reach Pearl Square as reported by Naharnet.
The gathering location is symbolic. In 2011, Pearl Square was the focal point of Shiite led protests after the funeral of a Shiite prisoner that died in the hospital. The location was also the place of the 2011 Arab-spring protests that raged against the Al-Khalifa regime.
Due to the history and rise of violence, the King has upped the penalties for crimes that resemble “terror acts.” Attempted bombings are punishable by 10 years in jail and will bring life in prison or possibly the death penalty should there be any casualties.
In the last two-and-a-half years, 89 people have been killed according the International Federation for Human Rights.
