Bahrain police close uprising exhibition

Riot police in Bahrain stormed an exhibition dedicated to the Arab Spring-inspired uprising on Wednesday.

The raid came two days after the opening of the museum-style hall, which included scenes depicting Bahrain’s unrest, such as alleged torture inside prisons and demonstrators running from teargas. Organisers said the life-size panels and collections such as personal items were based on well-known sites including Israel’s Holocaust museum Yad Vashem.

A statement from Bahrain Interior Ministry said the exhibition included “incitement material” and legal action could be taken against the sponsors of the event, which was set to close on Saturday. This could open up new rifts in the small but strategic nation since the exhibition was in a building operated by Bahrain’s main opposition group Al Wefaq and the exhibition was opened by its leader, Ali Salman.

Bahrain’s ongoing tensions have tested the relations between the nation and Western nations, particularly the US.

Washington remains a backer of Bahrain’s leadership, which hosts the US Navy’s 5th Fleet. But the tough measures against protesters and widespread arrests have raised concern in Washington and were noted by US President Barack Obama in his annual UN address in late September. Some pro-government factions in Bahrain have denounced the US as an untrustworthy ally.

On Monday, police said the explosion of a homemade bomb injured “a number” of police officers, but gave no further details. Meanwhile, international rights groups have called on Bahrain to drop prosecution against a prominent Al Wefaq figure, Khalil Al Marzooq, who faces charges including allegedly encouraging violence. He denies the claims.