Bahrain Detains Four American Journalists

Eyewitnesses in Bahrain reported that security forces detained four American journalists on Sunday, February 14, due to their coverage of the anniversary of the 2011 unrest. According to an Associated Press reporter, Bahrain stated that the four were arrested for entering without a press visa and 'participating in an unauthorized gathering.' The U.S. Embassy in Manama issued a statement on Monday, acknowledging that it was informed of the 'detention of these four American citizens in Bahrain' but refrained from commenting due to privacy sensitivities. The identities of the journalists and the media outlets they worked for have not yet been disclosed. Images of the journalists working in the 'Sitra' area have been widely circulated on social media, including a video showing a woman speaking with a masked protester. Sitra, located south of Manama, is predominantly Shia. According to two eyewitnesses who wished to remain anonymous, Bahraini police arrested a photographer working with the group on Sunday. That same night, security forces surrounded the area and detained three more individuals. In a statement published by the official news agency, the Bahraini police accused one of the detained journalists of wearing a mask and participating in a riot with 'subversive elements.' This individual has been charged with rioting and assaulting security forces. The statement adds that the detained journalists entered Bahrain on tourist visas. Manama requests that international journalists obtain special press visas before entering Bahrain. The English version of this statement did not provide further information on this matter. It also did not mention that the detainees are American. The statement reads: 'These four are accused of breaking the law by illegally entering Bahrain... They provided false information to border patrol (authorities) and participated in an unauthorized gathering.' The Associated Press noted that Bahraini officials did not respond to its request for information on this matter. The 2011 protests in Bahrain, which is home to the U.S. Fifth Fleet, were the largest wave of the Arab Spring that shook Gulf Arab states. These protests were led by the Shia majority in Bahrain, who demanded greater political rights from the Sunni ruling family. The unrest was suppressed following the deployment of Saudi and Emirati troops to Bahrain. Manama has repeatedly accused the Islamic Republic of Iran of inciting the Shia population. However, a government-backed investigative committee has denied any 'specific connection' between the protesters and Iran. The Bahraini government has committed to implementing a series of political reforms, but limited protests, especially among Shia, continue to occur. Small groups of protesters regularly clash with riot police, and from time to time, Bahraini security forces are targeted in bombings. On Sunday, coinciding with the fifth anniversary of the unrest in Bahrain, hundreds of youths protested. Earlier in February, Saudi Arabia reported the detention of nine Americans on charges of involvement in terrorist activities. The Saudi newspaper 'Gazette' reported without details that, in addition to these nine American citizens, 14 Saudi nationals, three Yemenis, two Syrians, one Indonesian, one Filipino, and three others were arrested. John Kirby, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated that he learned of the detentions through Saudi media and that U.S. diplomats in Riyadh are in contact with Saudi officials. However, he said he could not confirm the accuracy of these reports.