August 30th, 2010 by Anna

In a continuing crackdown on opposition leaders, Bahrain has banned the media from reporting on prominent Shiite activist and spokesman for Al-Haq political movement Abduljalil al-Singace, who has been in detention since August 13 along with other activists. Al-Singace is an outspoken critic of the government and has spoken in Britain about the human rights situation in Bahrain. The government has accused  him and fellow activists of “provid[ing] funds and financial support to the cells under various covers to carry out acts of terror and violence in various parts of Bahrain.” Ali al-Buainain, the government’s public prosecutor, cited the need to maintain secrecy and “preserve public order” in his announcement Thursday that no media outlets may “publish or broadcast anything related to” al-Singace and his “terror network.” Violators of the gag, according to the prosecutor’s statement, could be fined or imprisoned. In the past, al-Singace’s arrests have prompted human rights groups to call for his release.

Posted in Bahrain, Journalism |