Bahrain Mirror (Exclusive): Bahraini security forces have intensified their measures, tightening the ongoing siege imposed on the village of Diraz since June 2016.

Witnesses said that security forces deployed an Interior Ministry officer at each checkpoint in a new measure, aiming at identifying foreign reporter covering the Formula 1 tournament who might attempt to enter the village to report what is taking place there.

The Diraz open sit-in rally marks its 300th day today on Saturday (April 15, 2017). The open protest, in which thousands of Bahrainis have taken part, is being held outside the house of the Bahraini Shia spiritual leader Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim. Security authorities have failed time and time again to end this sit-in that was launched in protest against the revocation of Sheikh Qassim's nationality on June 20, 2016.

Every year Bahrain hosts the F1 Grand Prix, during which the political and human rights situation in the island kingdom is put under the spotlight with the presence of dozens of journalists and reporters in the country to cover the race.

Arabic Version