Pro-democracy protests continue to flare in Bahrain ahead of this week’s Formula One Grand Prix. On Thursday, Bahraini forces fired tear gas and stun grenades at hundreds of protesters in the capital Manama. Bahraini human rights activist Nabeel Rajab criticized the Formula One organizers for hosting their race amid the ruling Sunni monarchy’s crackdown.

Nabeel Rajab: “We are not against Formula One because we are against Formula One; we agree every part of our nation likes to enjoy this sport. But we are against awarding dictators. Formula One in Bahrain has been taken as PR (public relations) for the ruling elite, the repressive dictators who are ruling the country.”