According to Al-Alam TV news channel, the Saudi-backed police in Bahrain have set up additional checkpoints in Manama to crack down possible riots during the coming Tamarod Movement demonstration.

The National Democratic Action Society (Waad) said in a statement released on Monday that high security alert, intensifying security at checkpoints and the detention of political activists including Mohammd Sand Almakinah, indicates that the ruling regime is afraid of massive turnout in the August 14th demonstration and its repercussions for the despotic regime.

This is while Bahrain’s Human Rights Watch blasted the state’s efforts to prevent rights activist Maryam Al-Khawaja, daughter of Abdulhadi al-Khawaja to return to Bahrain.

Last year, the arbitrary detention of the human rights defender Abdulhadi al-Khawaja sparked incitement both at home and abroad.

“The effort to hamper the arrival of Al-Khawaja, Bahrain’s political activist contravenes the constitution and political and civil conventions,” Human Rights Watch of Bahrain said in a statement.

MRKD/ NJF