Interior ministry 12 June announced 44 suspected terrorists arrested, including purported leaders of Feb 14 Youth Coalition; Bahrain National TV alleged group received financial and logistical help from Iran, controlled by Iraq-based Shiite cleric Sheikh Sayyed Hadi al-Mudarissi. Demonstrators 26 June protested in Saar village, west of Manama, following death of local Feb 14 movement leader Hussein Abdullah, who police said died in explosion while making bomb. Interior ministry 5 June announced security agencies investigating activities of Hizbollah in Bahrain, 25 June announced 9 Shiites suspected of links to Iran, planning prison attack, arrested. Court 25 June sentenced pro-democracy activist Zainab al-Khawaja to additional 2 months’ jail for insulting police. High Criminal Court 14 June sentenced 3 protesters to up to 15 years’ prisonfor chargesincluding participating in anti-govt protests, attempted murder of policeman. 6 sentenced to 10 years’ prison for2012 bombing; 7 sentenced to 1 year for “participating in illegal gatherings”; teenager sentenced to 1 year jail for insulting king. Crown Prince and first PM Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa  visited UK, U.S. and Canada early June.

Political climate deteriorated during month: opposition suspended its participation in National Dialogue for 2 weeks in protest against 17 May security forces’ raid on house of senior Shiite cleric Issa Qassem, reiterated its initial demands including media access, adequate representation of opposition. Raid sparked mass protest 24 May. Al-Wifaq general secretary 12 May called for intensifying protests in run up to 2014 polls. 7 police wounded in homemade bomb attack in Bani Jamri 29 May. Parliament 8 May proposed draft law on rallies which would require organisers to deposit $53,000 to gain licence to demonstrate. King 10 May defended previous reforms, said “terrorists” in country “losing steam”. Govt 27 May banned political groups from contact with Hizbollah. Repression continued including: 28 May arrest of 22 for role in anti-govt protests; 6 Twitter users sentenced to one year’s jail for remarks against king; man sentenced to 3 months’ jail for hanging flag from truck during 2011 protest.

Ongoing National Dialogue overshadowed by growing street agitation in run-up to 21 April Formula 1 grand prix. Atmosphere in Dialogue sessions deteriorated as participants accused each other of stalling, traded personal attacks. MP Latifa al-Ghaoud accused opposition of leaking updates, receiving instructions from U.S.. Ahead of F1 race Human Rights Watch reported govt carried out house raids and round-ups in rebel villages near race circuit. Opposition called for mass demonstrations 12-20 April. Al-Wifaq sought to use protests to draw attention to its peaceful demands; Coalition of the Youth of the 14 February Revolution called for cancelling race, threatened further violence. Group claimed responsibility for burning 4 stolen cars, one in high security financial district 15 April, hours after information minister claimed situation “very reassuring”; group’s first use of such tactics.

Amid ongoing violence, national dialogue continued. Over a month into process, parties yet to set agenda despite 9 rounds of talks, sides blame each other for being uncooperative; tenth session began 31 March. King Hamad 11 March appointed Crown Prince Sheikh Salman, considered reformist, as vice-PM. Clashes between opposition forces and police in Manama 14, 29 March left several injured on both sides. Court sentenced 17 Shiites to 15 years’ jail for role in April 2012 ambush in Eker. 2 policemen sentenced to 10 years’ jail for torturing protester to death Feb 2011. Court of Appeals sentenced activist Zainab al-Khawaja to 3 months’ prison for “insulting and humiliating a public employee.” Court of Appeals 28 March acquitted 21 medics accused of supporting 2011 protests.

Govt, opposition participated in 5 “National Consensus Dialogue” sessions aimed at ending political deadlock; scheduled 13 Feb session suspended due to protests. Late month reports of disagreements when opposition insisted that representatives of king should join talks; demand rejected by govt. As demonstrations intensified in run-up to 2-year anniversary of 14 February uprising, teenage protester and security official reported killed 14 Feb in clashes west of Manama, further protestor later died from injuries; protesters clashed with police following teenager’s funeral 16 Feb. 8 militants with alleged links to Iran, Iraq, Lebanon reported arrested mid-Feb; govt accused Iran’s Revolutionary Guard of establishing terror cell. Court sentenced policeman to 7 years’ jail over fatal shootings of protesters during 2011 uprising, acquitted 4 others. Human Rights Watch said rulers had made no progress on promised reforms, official impunity continues, activists remain imprisoned.

Govt 23 Jan invited opposition to nominate delegates for national dialogue talks to break 2-year deadlock. Court of Cassation 7 Jan upheld prison sentences of 13 leaders of 2011 uprising, including activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja; opposition al-Wefaq, U.S., UNSG Ban condemned ruling. 2 policemen sentenced 30 Dec to 7 years’ jail for killing Shi’ite opposition activist in custody during 2011 uprising. Appeals court 23 Jan upheld death sentence against anti-govt protester Ali al-Taweel, convicted of murdering policeman March 2011. Princess Noura Bint Ebrahim al-Khalifa appeared in court accused of torturing 3 anti-govt protesters in detention. Several police injured 30 Jan by bomb near Manama.

Police 17 Dec violently dispersed rally commemorating 2 protesters killed in 1994; over 20 arrested including leading rights activist Sayed Yousif al-Muhafda. Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifah 7 Dec called for negotiations; opposition al-Wefaq welcomed appeal for dialogue, insisted outcome must be approved in referendum. Anti-govt activist Zainab al-Khawaja arrested 9 Dec for protesting abuses by security forces. 8 policemen charged 10 Dec with torturing detainees; jail sentence of rights activist Nabeel Rajab reduced next day from 3 to 2 years. Court of Appeals 26 Dec overturned death sentences, prison sentences of 2011 anti-govt protesters.

Coordinated bombs blasts in central Manama 5 Nov killed 2, injured 1; main opposition al-Wefaq condemned attack, opposition activists suggested security forces might have planted bombs to justify strong response. Authorities 6 Nov arrested 4 suspects, said bombings “bear hallmarks of Hezbollah”. Authorities 7 Nov revoked citizenships of 31 Shiite activists, including 2 former MPs, for having “undermined state security”. Police 30 Nov violently dispersed demonstrators outside Manama protesting “undeclared siege” beginning 7 Nov on Mahazza village, Sitra island. Opposition al-Wefaq 24 Nov said street protests will resume despite govt ban. Court 21 Nov sentenced 23 medical workers to 3 months jail for participation in “unauthorised demonstrations” during 2011. Security forces 26 Nov violently dispersed hundreds marching towards central Manama after Ashura ceremonies.

Govt 30 Oct announced ban on all rallies, gatherings, citing security reasons. Protesters in Jidhafs clashed with police at funeral of activist Muhammad Mushaima who died in custody 2 Oct. Police 12 Oct violently dispersed anti-govt protesters led by activist Zainab al-Khawaja in Manama, same day permitted demonstration by opposition al-Wefaq in West Manama. Policeman killed 19 Oct in explosion in Eker, south of Manama, 7 arrested; clashes broke out 20-21 Oct in various villages after police blocked rights activists, medics attempting to enter Eker to protest “siege” ,following reports of violent raids and arrests by security forces, 3 activists detained including Zainab al-Khawaja; authorities 21 Oct fired tear gas to disperse over 200 protesters. King Hamad 14 Oct called for national dialogue, urged govt to consider criminalising “everything that harms our unity and the security of the population”. Court 1 Oct rejected appeals of 9 medics arrested during 2011 uprising, 23 Oct acquitted policewoman charged with torturing journalist during uprising.

Court 4 Sept upheld 5-25 year jail sentences of 2011 uprising leaders; opposition al-Wefaq condemned ruling. 7 police charged 18 Sept over 2011 torture of Shia medics. Police 7 Sept violently dispersed anti-govt protestors defying demonstration ban in Manama; govt said would take legal action against al-Wefaq organisers. 29 anti-govt protesters arrested 21 Sept in Manama following demonstration organised by Feb 14 opposition group. Thousands of anti-govt protesters rallied 28 Sept in authorised al-Wefaq-organised march in Manama; 17-year-old killed as around 100 protesters clashed with police. Leading activist Zainab al-Khawaja jailed for 2 months for tearing picture of King Hamad.