“The rallies are in line with the constitutionally-guaranteed freedom of expression”, Public Security Chief Major-General Tariq Al-Hassan said, adding that the planned protests would disrupts people’s interests and services. He said that the organizers had planned the rallies on the first day of Ramadan on purpose to disrupt people’s daily course of living.
He slammed some parties which are adamant on holding rallies in vital areas in a bid to target commercial and service roads and locations, impact the national economy, fuel internal conflicts.
He rapped these parties for being all intent on disturbing security and fomenting baseless allegations to be misused through the media to serve narrow political intentions and claim that the Interior Ministry opposes the freedom of expression.
The Chief said that as was mentioned before the Ministry was about to implement Interior Minister Order to study the identification of locations for approved rallies and gatherings. This is as result of the implementation of the recommendations of the National Dialogue regarding “Security and Civil Peace”.
The aim of the study is to determine which locations in Bahrain provide the best opportunities for freedom of expression without violating the rights of others or hindering public interests. The Chief of Public Security clarified that it would be illegal to take part in the rallies and legal action would be taken against violators.