Manama (AsiaNews/agencies)-The Bahrain Government has revoked the citizenship 31 activists, charged with "threatening State security". The move was confirmed today by the Ministry of the Interior, in conjunction with the news of the arrest of four people suspected of links in various ways with bomb attacks November 5 in the capital Manama, where two Asian immigrants died. Among the personalities whose citizenship has been revoked are prominent figures of domestic opposition, such as Saaed Shehabi, Member of the Bahrain Freedom Movement (Bfm), the former lawmaker Jalal Fairooz and Hasan Mushaima, head of the Haq movement, among the most important in combating internal leadership.
The Government decided to revoke their right to citizenship, for an alleged violation of article 10 of the Citizenship Act, which authorizes this measure in the case of individual "damage" or "threats to the security of the State". Meanwhile the news has spread in Bahrain of the arrest of four terrorist suspects, implicated in five bomb attacks that have hit the capital two days ago, killing two foreign workers. The local security chief has pointed the finger at the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah, held responsible for the violence.
The Interior Ministry has made serious accusations against Iran: Tehran State TV would in fact be supporting internal uprisings in Bahrain, while the local militants are using "tactics" outlined by the Iranian Supreme leader, ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Iranian Government rejects these allegations, denying any involvement in the uprising in Bahrain promoted by Shiite faction, the majority in terms of population, but virtually devoid of political and economic power.
The same Lebanese movement Hezbollah denies promoting its interests or activities in Bahrain and, at the same time, spares no criticism of the Sunni monarchy, which holds the reigns of command, for the way it's managing the crisis. Instead, its ties with the United States and Saudi Arabia remain solid, among the most important allies of the ruling Sunni monarchy in Bahrain, both commercially and militarily.
Since February 2011 Bahrain has been rocked by demonstrations and protests calling for political reforms and greater space for the population of Shi'a confession. The Sunni Government of Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa--whose Royal family has held power since 1971- has responded with repression, helped also by Saudi military. So far at least 3 thousand people have been arrested and five have died from torture during captivity. There have been 80 victims in clashes since April 2012 without counting the detention or charges against human rights activists.