Bahrain releases dozens of political prisoners

Published On Wed Feb 23 2011

Fifteen-year-old Muhammed Ramadhan is tossed in the air inside Pearl Roundabout Tuesday after the Bahraini government began releasing political prisoners.

Jesse McLean Staff Reporter

MANAMA, BAHRAIN—Bahrain’s king ordered the release of dozens of political prisoners Tuesday, conceding yet another demand from demonstrators as the embattled monarchy scrambles to calm an uprising that grows bigger as it enters its second week.
A stream of freed prisoners — many of them young, gaunt and unshaven — arrived directly from jail at Pearl Square shortly after midnight, where several were hoisted by the jubilant crowd.
“I was so scared I would not get out,” said Ali Ahmed Radhi.
The 21-year-old has been in jail since Sept. 12, when police raided his family’s home at 2 a.m. and accused him of helping others set fires in the streets.
He is thin and his face is buried beneath an unmanaged beard, but he remained defiant in his anti-government stances.Full Story>>>
Bahrain releases dozens of political prisoners