Despite Protests, F1 Grand Prix Ends Without Major Incident
By RFE RL
(RFE/RL) — Bahrain’s controversial Formula One Grand Prix was run without major incidents after a week of angry protests focusing on reform demands.
Demonstrators tried to block roads to the track ahead of the April 22 race.
Hackers managed to interrupt Internet coverage of the race on the F1’s website and also posted criticism of Bahrain’s human rights record on another website.
A crackdown ahead of the race left at least one protester dead earlier in the week.
On April 20, tens of thousands demonstrated to demand an end to the government’s crackdown on dissent.
Last year’s Grand Prix was cancelled after the deaths of 30 people in a crackdown against Arab Spring protests led by Bahrain’s majority Shi’ites who demand political reforms from the ruling Sunni royal family.
