MANAMA, Feb 23: Tens of thousands of red-and-white draped, flag-waving protesters flooded the country’s capital Tuesday in a massive show of force against the monarchy as the king made another concession to the marchers — a promise to release an unspecified number of political prisoners.
Upbeat, determined demonstrators took over Manama for the day, circling the Bahrain Mall and Manama’s financial district, symbols of the country’s recent prosperity, in a march to the heart of the protest at Pearl Square.
“Egypt, Tunisia, are we any different?” marchers chanted.
Helicopters hovered overhead but security forces offered no resistance after opening fire on protesters last week, and the size of the event rivaled any of the major demonstrations so far in the eight-day uprising.
The decree issued earlier Tuesday by King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa covers several activists accused of plotting against the state.
The exact number of prisoners to be freed remains unclear, government spokeswoman Maysoon Sabkar said. But the inmates will include some of the 25 activists on trial for allegedly plotting against the monarchy, a leading member of opposition, Abdul Jalili Khalil, said.
He called the prisoner release “a good step” and a “positive gesture.” Two of those in the case are being tried in absentia, including prominent opposition leader Hassan Meshaima, who has been in self-exile in London since last year.
Meshaima’s return to Bahrain was imminent, his supporters said.
Meshaima’s group, known as Haq, is considered more radical than the main political bloc that has taken a central role in the revolt and is seeking the establishment of a constitutional monarchy.
The Shiite group includes 18 members of the 40-member parliament, who resigned on Thursday to protest the killing of demonstrators by security forces.
At least eight people have been slain and hundreds injured in street clashes, which included the army opening fire on protesters in the capital Manama. The attack brought stinging denunciations from Bahrain’s Western allies, including the United States. The US maintains very close ties with Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy’s 5th Fleet.
Bahrain authorities withdrew the military on Saturday and allowed protesters to reclaim the landmark Pearl Square, which has been the center of the Shiite-led uprising.
On Monday, Bahrain’s crown prince called off Formula One’s season-opening race scheduled for March 13, handing another victory to protesters.
Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa owns the rights to Grand Prix and serves as commander of the armed forces.
Protesters said it would have been disrespectful the hold the race.
The crown prince told F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone by telephone that the race would not go ahead.
“We felt it was important for the country to focus on immediate issues of national interest and leave the hosting of Bahrain’s Formula One race to a later date,” Bahrain’s crown prince said in a statement.
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