UK police detain Bahraini activist

The video footage, leaked into the social media, showed the activist was taken into custody on Friday for protesting outside a hotel, where Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Bahraini king’s eldest son, was residing.

Earlier in October, London’s High Court announced the annulment of a previous ruling by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) that gave the prince immunity over allegations of involvement in torturing anti-regime protesters.

The CPS had said the son of the King of Bahrain has immunity as commander of the Royal Guard of Bahrain and cannot be prosecuted.

Under the new ruling, however, the prince, who is a frequent visitor to the UK, could face arrest and prosecution over claims he tortured anti-regime activists in detention.

Since February 2011, thousands of Bahraini protesters have staged numerous demonstrations in the streets of Bahrain, calling for the Al Khalifa royal family to relinquish power.

According to local sources, scores of people have been killed and hundreds arrested so far during the government clampdown on peaceful demonstrations in Bahrain. A number of rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, have blasted Bahraini regime's rights violations.

Britain, meanwhile, has been giving weapons and advice to the Bahraini regime to help it crush the protest movement. According to the Campaign against the Arms Trade (CAAT), Britain sold Bahrain military equipment worth £18 million in 2013.

Bahraini demonstrators and anti-arms campaigners have repeatedly called on the British Royal family to stop advocating business with the despotic regime.
/SR