However, the three opposition members of the committee, were critical of the decision. “The four members who voted in favour of the minister came to the meeting predetermined to defend Atiyatallah,” Mohammed Yousef Maezal, an Al Wefaq Deputy said.
The meeting took off on a stormy note with some members accusing the others of trying to hijack the proceedings to avoid an outcome, said a source.
Emerging from the committee meeting, Dr Ali Ahmed told Bahrain Tribune that the decision would be put to vote before the Chamber of Deputies. The committee, he said, did not find any wrongdoing on the part of the minister on the population issue – the main charge against Atiyattalah being that he hid information on the population reaching over one million.
