The Kuwaiti Interior Ministry has acknowledged the anti-riot operation.
The ministry said special operations forces were sent to disperse an illegal
gathering in which participants hurled rocks and bottles at police.
"The law-enforcers had to react against the attackers," Interior
Undersecretary Maj. Gen. Khalil Al Shamali said.
Kuwait has banned all political events and outdoor gatherings in an
effort to prevent Sunni-Shi'ite clashes. Several attempts to violate the ban
have been quelled by authorities.
This marked the second unauthorized rally against the government since
the ban was imposed in September 2010. Opposition sources said the five
parliamentarians were attending a forum organized by Al Herbish to discuss
a purported effort by the government to amend the 1962 constitution.
On Dec. 12, the opposition plans to submit a motion to question the
Prime Minister Nasser Mohammed Al Ahmad Al Sabah regarding the clash. The
deputies were expected to question police tactics, which they said targeted
the parliamentarians at the gathering.
"I told them I am a member of parliament, but they went ahead to beat
me," parliamentarian Abdel Fahman Al Anjari recalled.
Kuwait has been struggling with a contentious parliament as well as
Iranian attempts to infiltrate the government and military. Parliamentary
speaker Jassem Al Khorafi said the Interior Ministry has been ordered to
allow indoor political meetings. But he said the ban would remain on outdoor
gatherings.
"Our job is to disperse the illegal gatherings and protect the safety of
citizens." Col. Shukry Al Najar, assistant director of the special forces,
said.