Report: Bahrain admits it used "excessive force" against pro-democracy protests
The Bahraini government has admitted to the use of unnecessary force during its bloody crackdown on protesters in the country, as well as to the abuse of those arrested, according to a report from Reuters news agency.
The agency said it received a statement from the Bahraini cabinet offering details of the government's investigations into its own actions, adding that it found both "things to praise as well as… to deplore."
The statement said:
"Regrettably, there have been instances of excessive force and mistreatment of detainees. This was in violation of government policy."
It goes on to say officers involved in such instances are being prosecuted.
The statement and judicial action come ahead of an independent inquiry into the crackdown by an international commission, due to be delivered to Bahrain's king on Wednesday. Opposition members have said they expect limited criticism of the government in that report.
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