Rasa – Tehran’s provisional Friday Prayers Leader, Ayatollah Kazem Seddiqi, warned against the collapse of the Bahraini regime in case it continues the heavy-handed crackdown on its people, urging Manama to respect the will of the people.
Addressing a large congregation of Iranian worshipers here in Tehran on Friday, Ayatollah Seddiqi pointed to the massive rallies held in Bahrain on the sixth anniversary of the February 14 Revolution and said the uprising not only has not come to an end but more people risked their lives this year and participated in the demonstrations.
“I advise the rulers of the country not to follow the path of (Iran’s ousted) Shah,” the senior cleric said, adding that they should respect their people.
He went on to say that the Bahraini people are demanding to vote and they will definitely emerge victorious.
The remarks came as the Bahraini people from all walks of life continued demonstrations in most cities of the Persian Gulf country on Tuesday on the sixth anniversary of the popular uprising in the Arab kingdom.
Bahraini security forces attacked rallies on Tuesday morning. The Al Khalifah regime’s security forces fired tear gas to disperse and suppress the people participating in the rallies.
The uprising in Bahrain began on February 14, 2011. Protesters initially called for political reforms and a constitutional monarchy. However, the demand later changed to an outright call for the ouster of the Al Khalifah family following its brutal crackdown on popular protests.
Scores of people have been killed in the crackdown and security forces have arrested hundreds including doctors and nurses. Dozens of demonstrators have also been sentenced to jail terms for attending street protests.
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