Iran condemns deadly bombing in Bahrain

Iran condemns deadly bombing in Bahrain
Wed Mar 5, 2014 09:58:23

The Iranian Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the recent acts of violence in Bahrain, including a bombing that killed three policemen.

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham on Tuesday urged Manama to respect the democratic aspirations of the Bahraini people.

She said the Bahraini people and government should resolve their differences through genuine national dialog.

Meanwhile, prominent religious figures in Bahrain have released a statement, condemning violence in the country.

The statement says great human values cannot be achieved through immoral means.

On Monday, three policemen were killed after a bomb exploded in Daih village near the capital of Manana, the interior ministry said.

The explosion happened as Bahraini troops attacked the mourners of an anti-regime activist, who died in prison a few days ago.

The regime forces fired teargas to disperse thousands of people who had gathered to mourn the death of 22-year-old Jafar al-Dirazi in the village.

The United Arab Emirates said one of its security forces, deployed in the Persian Gulf state, was among the dead officers.

Since mid-February 2011, thousands of pro-democracy protesters have held numerous demonstrations in the streets of Bahrain, calling for the Al Khalifa royal family to relinquish power.

On March 14, 2011, troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates invaded the country to assist the Bahraini government in its crackdown on peaceful protesters.

According to local sources, scores of people have been killed and hundreds arrested.

Physicians for Human Rights says doctors and nurses have been detained, tortured, or disappeared because they have "evidence of atrocities committed by the authorities, security forces, and riot police" in the crackdown on anti-government protesters.

BA/BA

NULL