An adviser to Bahrain’s King Hamad said the Gulf Arab state would hold a “comprehensive dialogue” soon to end a year-long political crisis and the government said it was dropping charges against most medics in a controversial trial.
The US ally, home to Washington’s Fifth Fleet, has been in turmoil since democracy protests erupted last year, only to be crushed by force one month later. Manama has faced international pressure to redress abuse suffered by majority Shiite Muslims during its crackdown and start political reforms.
The comments by Nabeel al-Hamer, the king’s media adviser, were published by the state news agency late on Friday, after a prominent Shiite cleric led the biggest pro-democracy demonstration since the uprising took off in February last year.
“Al-Hamer said there would soon be a comprehensive dialogue including all elements of Bahraini society and affirmed that everyone wants to end the crisis the country is in,” BNA said.
However, a senior figure from the leading Shiite opposition party Wefaq said the group was not aware any new talks were planned.
“We haven’t heard officially from them yet,” Abduljalil Khalil said.
In an incident that might complicate efforts to find a compromise, a 22-year-old Shiite man, Fadhel Mirza, died on Friday after being struck by a tear gas canister during clashes with police, Wefaq said on Saturday. A police statement confirmed his head was struck by a hard object.
After his funeral on Saturday, riot police fired tear gas to clear protesters. Youths responded by throwing gasoline bombs in clashes that lasted into the evening.
Meanwhile, a statement from the public prosecutor said authorities would pursue criminal charges against only five of 20 medics on trial in a case that has drawn international criticism.
In September last year, a military court sentenced the 20 doctors and other medical staff to jail terms of up to 15 years on charges including incitement to overthrow the government, in what critics said was a reprisal for treating mostly Shiite protesters during the uprising.
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