Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry

Chapter IV — Narrative of Events of February and March 2011
reform being expressed in demonstrations. During these discussions, which
reportedly lasted for three hours, Al Wefaq voiced its reservations about the
existing Constitution, expressed discontent with aspects of the GoB’s
performance, its composition and powers, and asked that demonstrators at the
GCC Roundabout be allowed to remain there. According to Al Wefaq’s
account of the meeting, despite having previously agreed to consider the
significant reform demands, the Crown Prince stated that he was not mandated
to reach an agreement on these issues. The Crown Prince suggested that
demonstrators move to a more secure location because the GoB was
concerned for their safety from possible attacks by vigilantes.
227. That evening, Sheikh Ali Salman visited the GCC Roundabout for the
first time, and gave a short statement in which he expressed support for the
protest movement and the demands being expressed in the demonstrations.
228. The number of protesters at the GCC Roundabout continued to
increase until it reportedly reached over 12,000 by 23:00.
Thursday, 17 February 2011
229. At around 03:00, orders were issued to police to regain control of the
GCC Roundabout and clear the area of all demonstrators, who were estimated
to number around 1,500 individuals who had stayed in the tents. According to
MoI reports, four battalions, totalling over 1,000 people, were dispatched to
participate in the operation. These police were armed with sticks, shields,
sound bombs, tear gas launchers and shotguns. Police also carried standard
side arms. In addition, personnel from the National Security Agency (NSA),
the MoI Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and BDF Intelligence were
onsite. Reports from some opposition political parties have claimed that the
units executing the operation were BDF units dressed in police uniform.
Conversely, government reports have asserted that BDF personnel were not
involved in this operation, and that military units in the area remained on
standby to provide assistance to the police forces if needed.
230. The operation began with instructions broadcasted for a period of five
minutes on a megaphone ordering the demonstrators to leave. According to
some accounts, demonstrators did not hear these instructions because they
were issued from above the overpass adjacent to the roundabout. Police
reports, however, indicated that these instructions were heard because some
demonstrators replied with statements described as defiant and refused to
comply.
231. Three of the four police battalions at the location then entered the
roundabout from various points and cleared it of demonstrators. These forces
also removed all the tents that had been placed in the roundabout, including
the tent erected by members of the SMC medical staff. The fourth battalion
remained at the adjacent overpass to secure the rear of the advancing forces.
According to police reports, two roads were left open to provide an exit for
people leaving the roundabout. Some protesters refused to leave and began
resisting and assaulting the police, using stones, rocks, metal rods, swords,
and other sharp objects. Reports also indicate that a number of protestors
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