NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    In the news
    Narendra Modi
    Amit Shah
    Box Office Collection
    Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
    OTT releases
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout

    India
    Business
    World
    Politics
    Sports
    Technology
    Entertainment
    Auto
    Lifestyle
    Inspirational
    Career
    Bengaluru
    Delhi
    Mumbai

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
    Home / News / World News / 28-year-old Shiite journalist's killing stuns Bahrain
    Next Article
    28-year-old Shiite journalist's killing stuns Bahrain

    28-year-old Shiite journalist's killing stuns Bahrain

    By Ramya Patelkhana
    Dec 31, 2016
    12:12 am

    What's the story

    A 28-year-old Shiite journalist, Eman Salehi, was shot dead as her six-year-old son watched from inside her car in Bahrain's Riffa on 23 Dec'16.

    She worked for the state-run TV channel as a sports reporter.

    The reason behind the killing, which rocked Bahrain, is still unclear.

    Activists alleged Salehi was gunned down by a member of Bahrain's Sunni royal family in the military.

    Quote

    Bahraini Interior Ministry's terse statement

    Interior Ministry issued a terse statement following Salehi's death saying there was a "murder of a female." According to state-run Bahrain News Agency, Salehi's killer was a "34-year-old Bahraini man referred to the relevant judicial party to continue the necessary legal procedures."

    Killing

    Killer turned himself into authorities

    Eman Salehi was known for her friendly demeanor and recognizable by her piercing blue eyes.

    Before she was shot dead, Salehi stopped along with her son in the city of Riffa, which is a community popular with the ruling Al Khalifa family members and the military.

    A man reportedly shot her once in the head and turned himself into authorities.

    Controversy

    Salehi's death, a controversy, in Bahrain as well as abroad

    Eman Salehi's death has become a controversy.

    Activists abroad allege a royal family member pulled the trigger.

    The accusation traces back to Bahrain's five-year-long lingering unrest from its Arab Spring protests and a government crackdown on dissent.

    Bahrain Center for Human Rights' member Said Yousif Almuhafdah said, "If you say it involves the military, it involves the king. No one wants to mention that."

    Quote

    Ministry of Information Affairs declines to comment

    Bahrain's Ministry of Information Affairs declined to comment on the case. But Brig. Gen. Yussef Rashid Flaifel, the head of Bahrain's military courts, was quoted as saying the "investigation is being conducted transparently, impartially and according to Bahrain's law."

    The Assailant

    Killer a royal family member, say activists

    A Bahraini pro-government English daily named Gulf Daily News has reported that Eman Salehi's assailant is an officer in the Bahraini Defense Force.

    Abroad activists, including Almuhafdah and others affiliated with Bahrain Watch, reportedly identified the killer as being a member of the Al Khalifa family.

    But, the person named by activists couldn't be reached.

    Quote

    A Bahrain Watch activist's statement

    A Bahrain Watch activist, Faten Bushehri, said, "The fact that the alleged perpetrator was a military officer and member of the ruling family has set this crime apart from others, testing the country's commitment to justice and accountability."

    Investigation

    Independent news gathering in Bahrain, very difficult

    Bahrain homes the US Navy's 5th Fleet and an under-construction British naval base.

    Activists say independent news gathering became difficult since the government began a crackdown on dissent in Apr'16 that has seen activists exiled, Shias dismantled, and other opposition members imprisoned.

    Activists fear the investigation into Eman Salehi's death would be buried, as military tribunals in Bahrain are conducted behind the closed doors.

    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    Related News
    Latest

    Latest

    Pakistani drones intercepted in Jammu again; blackout in several districts  India
    Carlos Alcaraz returns to form at Rome Masters after injury Carlos Alcaraz
    Michael Vaughan suggests UK as potential venue for IPL 2025 Michael Vaughan
    Arsenal's Mikel Arteta warns fans about potential striker signing challenges Mikel Arteta
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2025