Bahrain arrests Shiite Muslims accused of 'plotting coup'...

"... The arrests and accusations come as the Persian Gulf Arab kingdom is gearing up for Oct. 23 parliamentary elections. Shiites hold 17 of 40 seats, and Sunnis fear they could gain a majority. Human rights organizations estimate that more than 250 Shiites, mostly youths, have been arrested in the ongoing security crackdown, which has sparked unrest in the streets.

Bahrain and its Saudi patrons may fear that Iran could use the island nation's Shiites during the upcoming elections to further its influence, analysts said. Riad Kahwaji, head of the Dubai-based Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis, said Gulf Arab countries fear that Iran could use some of the members of the Shiite communities in these countries as cells for sabotage or espionage.

"In Bahrain it takes different dimensions since Shiites are a majority there and could pose [a] serious threat to the regime," he said. "They want to make an example … sending out a message to other possible players that you will be uncovered."..."