MANAMA, 11 August 2004 — Border authorities have arrested a Saudi national who tried to enter Bahrain with an AK-47 rifle and bullets in his car trunk, a government official said Monday.
The arrest follows a series of moves that highlighted concerns about security in Bahrain.
Some people fear that terrorists, who have carried out a number of attacks in neighboring Saudi Arabia, might infiltrate Bahrain, seeing it as an easier place to attack Westerners.
The government official declined to comment on whether terrorism was suspected in Sunday’s arrest on the 24-kilometer (15-mile) King Fahd Causeway that links the island of Bahrain to Saudi Arabia.
He said the detainee had told investigators he was unaware of the rifle and ammunition in the car, which belongs to his brother, a civil servant.
The official, who spoke on customary condition of anonymity, said the case had been referred to the public prosecutor.
Bahrain has strict laws on possession of arms. Crime is low in the state and normally only policemen and military personnel are allowed to carry weapons.
In recent weeks, Bahrain has tightened security checks at the causeway border post.
Last month, the US Defense Department evacuated about 930 relatives of military personnel stationed in Bahrain following reports that terrorists were planning attacks. The state is home to the US Navy’s 5th Fleet.
Also last month, the police re-arrested six Bahrainis in connection with allegations of plans to bomb government buildings and foreign interests.
The US State Department has cautioned Americans against traveling to Bahrain and advised Americans living there to leave.
