Bahrain detains 4 U.S. journalists for illegal entry

Authorities in Bahrain have detained four journalists in the Gulf nation with freelance journalist Anna Therese Day among those arrested.

The journalists were reported detained after being accused of entering the country illegally, joining protests and lying to border staff.

In a statement issued by Bahraini police, the force said that they had detained four “foreign nationals”, while the US State Department said it was aware of reports that US citizens had been arrested in the Gulf nation.

A statement from Bahrain’s interior ministry said the four were “suspected of offences including entering Bahrain illegally having submitted false information to border staff, and participating in an unlawful gathering”.

The family of Anna Therese Day, one of the detained journalists also issued a statement over her arrest.

“The four are experienced journalists, having most recently worked on virtual reality documentary filmmaking in Egypt and Gaza, and we hope the Bahraini authorities will release them rapidly and without harm.

“Anna and her crew are committed journalists who only want to ensure they could undertake their profession ethically and thoroughly.

“The allegation that they were in any way involved in illegal behaviour or anything other than journalistic activities is impossible.” The Day family’s statement read in full.