Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry

Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry
Molotov cocktails had gathered at the Al-Sater market in the Al Janubiyah
district.
259. Meanwhile, a large number of people, estimated to have reached
1,000, gathered at SMC. Many of these individuals had either participated in
the earlier march at the GCC Roundabout or were protesting against the use of
force against the demonstrators. Many political and societal leaders
congregated in the parking area adjacent to the Accident and Emergency
Department at the SMC Emergency Section, where statements were being
given about the events of the previous days. 243
260. According to government reports, the contacts that Mr Zayed Al-
Zayani had initiated with Al Wefaq earlier that day to arrange a meeting
between the Crown Prince and Sheikh Ali Salman continued throughout the
day and into the night. Information received by the Crown Prince’s advisers
indicated that there were ongoing consultations between Al Wefaq and other
political societies about whether Sheikh Ali Salman should accept the offer to
meet with the Crown Prince, and that some of these societies were objecting
to the meeting.
261. At around 23:00, the Crown Prince arrived at the residence of a close
associate from where contacts between his advisers and Al Wefaq were
ongoing. At 01:00, Mr Al-Zayani proposed to Sheikh Ali Salman that the
suggested meeting with the Crown Prince be followed by a Fajr prayer held at
roundabout. It was suggested that Sheikh Ali Salman would lead the prayer
and the Crown Prince would participate.
262. At around 03:00, a senior Al Wefaq representative met with the
Crown Prince and his advisers to request that demonstrators be allowed to
return safely to the GCC Roundabout. Despite advice to the contrary, the
Crown Prince arranged for troops deployed in the area to be withdrawn and
for demonstrators to have access to the roundabout, where they would be
allowed to stay. This decision was to be in exchange for Al Wefaq agreeing
to enter into a dialogue with the GoB. The Crown Prince again reiterated his
belief that the GCC Roundabout was not a safe location and that
demonstrators should consider moving elsewhere, but he stated that they
would nonetheless be granted access to the roundabout. Despite the decision
to reopen the roundabout to demonstrators, at 04:00 HRH the Crown Prince
was informed that Sheikh Ali Salman had retired for the night and would
therefore be unable to meet with him.
263. Opposition sources have, however, provided a slightly different
account of the political discussions with HRH the Crown Prince. According
to this account, Sheikh Ali Salman would only participate in a proposed
televised meeting with the Crown Prince on two conditions. The first was that
the other opposition societies consent to this meeting, and the second was that
HRH the Crown Prince reveal the extent to which he was capable of
discussing and agreeing on reform measures. Al Wefaq confirmed that a
meeting took place with HRH the Crown Prince and other senior officials
243 See Chapter V.
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