[1]Bahrain has deported six US citizens for joining pro-democracy demonstrations, a statement said on Wednesday, as the opposition reported dozens of arrests on the first anniversary of a Shiite-led uprising.
The deportations bring the number of Americans expelled from Bahrain to eight after two human rights activists were ordered out the country on February 11 after being accused of 'illegal' activities.
The six 'activists' who were deported had entered the country on tourist visas in the past week and were sent home after 'participating in illegal demonstrations', an Information Affairs Authority statement said.
They were briefly questioned at a local police station and 'agreed to leave the country without further legal procedures', the statement added. The expulsions came as Bahrain marked the first anniversary of last year's uprising against the government, and the brutal crackdown that followed which left 35 people dead, according to an independent commission of enquiry into the violence.
The main Shiite opposition Al-Wefaq said Bahraini police made dozens of arrests while dispersing protesters attempting to march on the capital's former Pearl Square, the focal point of the February 14th uprising that was crushed a month later.
"The total number of arrests is around 150, including women and children between the ages of 13 and 16," the statement said adding that some were later released.
Al-Wefaq said there were 'large numbers of injuries to the demonstrators caused by birdshot pellets, tear gas canisters, stun grenades', but gave no figure.
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