Bahrain's probe commission, set up to investigate incidents and human rights abuse in the kingdom, has hit out at baseless rumours in the international and local Press about its work.

In a strongly worded statement, Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) said it has been following information being circulated and statements attributed to its chairperson Professor Mahmoud Cherif Bassiouni.

"BICI denies the report being circulated on some electronic social media platforms that its chairperson or any of its members has resigned. All the members of the commission continue to discharge their duties. The commissioners are studying and analysing the increasingly large amounts of evidence being gathered by its investigators for the preparation of the final report due on October 30," said the statement.

It continued: "In accordance with its mandate, BICI since its establishment has been making every effort to investigate complaints in connection with the disturbances that occurred in Bahrain in February and March and in that regard to collect evidence and testimonies.

"BICI investigators have conducted numerous field visits and interviews to collect information from a variety of sources. These have included visits to six police stations and detention facilities, and six hospitals.

"BICI investigators conducted more than 250 personal interviews with citizens during these field visits. In addition, staff members have met more than 670 people at the BICI headquarters to record their testimonies about the events of February and March.

"BICI has received more than 2,500 communications and complaints via e-mail, regular mail and recorded videos. Staff members have also met families of people killed during confrontations and demonstrations to record their testimonies," the statement said. – TradeArabia News Service