Bahrain Arrests 4 Americans in National Protests

Interior Ministry says alleged journos gave 'false info,' were in 'unlawful gathering'
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 15, 2016 12:37 PM CST
Bahrain Arrests 4 Americans in National Protests
A Bahraini anti-government protester stands amid clouds of tear gas fired by riot police during clashes in Sitra, Bahrain, on Sunday.   (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali)

Protesters took to the streets of Bahrain Sunday on the five-year anniversary of the kingdom's uprising, and officials say four Americans who were in the midst of it in Sitra were arrested, NBC News reports. The charges for the three men and one woman: giving "false information" to border officials to get into Bahrain and "participating in an unlawful gathering," per an Interior Ministry statement.

Two witnesses who spoke anonymously out of fear of being arrested says the four detainees are journalists, the AP reports. An Interior Ministry tweet accused one of the arrested parties of wearing a mask and attacking the police, per NBC. The US Embassy in Manama notes it's "aware of the arrest of four US citizens in Bahrain"; officials in Bahrain are staying mum for now. (Bahrain recently cut ties with Iran.)

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