Bahrain admitted on Monday “excessive force” was used on pro-democracy protesters earlier this year as tension escalates two days ahead of the unveiling of a probe into the deadly crackdown.
Bahrain’s Independent Commission of Inquiry, commissioned by King Hamad, will unveil on Wednesday the results of its investigation into alleged government misconduct during the February-March crackdown on Shia-led protests.
As the Gulf kingdom braced for the finding of the probe, tension has escalated in Shia areas of the Sunni-ruled nation and the opposition has vowed not to back down from demands for democratic reform.
“Regrettably, there have been instances of excessive force and mistreatment of detainees,” during the deadly crackdown against protests, the Bahraini government statement said.