Security forces fire stun grenades at the Bahrain Grand Prix cultural exhibition – Formula 1 news
Security concerns rise as riots lead security forces to fire stun grenades at anti-government protesters.
A cultural exhibition for the Bahrain Grand Prix on Wednesday was the target of the protesters as they swarmed in and started frenzy. Visitors had to flee away for cover and the security forces took the battle to the streets.
It was a major blow to the country’s efforts to improve on its stability and the return of Formula 1 calendar after a cancellation took place in 2011.
The protests were targeted directly to their demands and wanted the media attention by threatening the race on Sunday.
The resumption of the race was a reason to show the world that the country is almost back to normality and all their efforts for the past 14 months are now looking to be in vain as protesters now have the upper hand.
Bernie Ecclestone and John Todt have been under tremendous pressure in the past two weeks over the rising riots in the country. Ecclestone attended a media conference and looked to be on edge as he took questions regarding the protests. At one point, a question
was asked about the shootings, and Ecclestone responded with clear agitation and said, “What shootings? No one has been shot...what are you talking about?”
It has been all over the news that a 15-year-old boy has been shot by the security police and has been admitted to the hospital.
The Human Rights Center in Bahrain have been working for the past few months to stop the race from happening and even requesting teams and drivers to boycott it. FIA has given clearance to the race and most teams and drivers unlike last year when the race
was actually cancelled have shown faith in FIA’s decision and are willing to tour.
The Friday practice will begin tomorrow, while the qualifiers and the race is on Saturday and Sunday respectively. It will be imperative for the future of the venue’s credibility to host F1 races to keep an incident free race. Otherwise, it may be the end
of F1 in Bahrain for a few years to come.
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