A television crew from Britain’s ITV has been forced to leave Bahrain because they reported on violent demonstrations ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix in the tiny Gulf kingdom, the broadcaster said on Friday.
The five-strong team, who had the necessary visas to work, were filming when they were detained on Thursday and were questioned at a police station before being released.
The group was then questioned a second time and taken to a police station, before being told on Friday they must leave the country or face being taken to prison.
“Our news team were on assignment with visas approved by the Bahraini authorities,” an ITV News spokeswoman said.
“Having filed a report last night, they were stopped while filming this morning and taken to a local police station for discussions with officers.
“They have since been asked to leave the country, which they are in the process of doing.”
World motorsport’s governing body, the FIA, and promoters Formula One Management have said the race should go ahead on Sunday despite the demonstrations.
Clashes between security forces loyal to the ruling Sunni family and members from the majority Shiite population led to the Grand Prix being cancelled in 2011 after deaths during protests, but it took place last year.
British TV crew forced to leave Bahrain before Grand Prix
