'Al-Qaida suspects' arrested in swoop

Bahraini authorities arrested several men in pre-dawn raids today alleging they have ties to al-Qaida.

Abdulla Hashim, a lawyer who said he is representing five of the men, said the men were taken from their homes early today.

“My clients were picked up early this morning, and I believe they have no links to al-Qaida,” Hashim said in Manama. He said he had spoken with three of his clients by telephone.

The Information Ministry said it could not immediately comment on the matter.

The precise number of detainees, all Bahrainis, was not immediately clear. Hashim said two of his clients had been detained and released in the past.