Bahrain Shura Council Member’s Home Attacked

MANAMA, Bahrain, October 27, 2011 -

A Molotov cocktail was thrown at the house of Shura Council Member Sameera Rajab last night in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The attack on Ms. Rajab’s home came after a televised segment on Al Jazeera’s Arabic channel on which she debated former MP and senior Al Wefaq leader Khalil Al Marzooq.

Ms. Rajab, who was not harmed in the assault, called this an attack on freedom of speech and expression by those who want to silence the voices that are not in support of the protest movement in Bahrain.

“The attack came after my participation in Al Ittijah Al Mo’akis (Opposing Views) show (on Al Jazeera’s Arabic channel) in which I uncovered the truth about the conspiracy against Bahrain,” she told Bahrain News Agency. “The attack was carried out by groups that don’t believe in the freedom of speech and expression and have a sole goal of terrorizing those with transparent words, which they want subdued.”

The Prime Minister of Bahrain, Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalia, condemned the attack on Ms. Rajab, saying that these types of attacks are rejected nationally, ethically and religiously.

“Perpetrators of such crimes will not escape punishment and will face justice. Desperate attempts like this will not stop the country from moving forward,” he said in a statement, also noting that the government will continue to work to ensure security and stability in Bahrain.

The Director General of the Southern Governorate Security Force confirmed the attack and said proper follow-up procedures have begun.

“We have moved to the scene to carry out investigations and the Public Prosecution has been notified to take legal action,” he said.

The individuals responsible for the attack remain unidentified.

The Shura Council, whose 40 members are appointed by the King, combined with the 40 elected members of the Council of Representatives forms Bahrain’s parliament, referred to as the National Assembly.  

This has been distributed by Qorvis Communications on Behalf of the Kingdom of Bahrain.  More information is available at the United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.

Muhannad Sulaiman, +973-39722296