Thousands of people have taken to the streets across Bahrain to call for the downfall of the ruling Al Khalifa regime and the establishment of a new government that would restore justice and equality in the Persian Gulf kingdom.

On Friday, the demonstrators marched in villages of al-Daih, located six kilometers (3.7 miles) west of the capital, Manama, Ma’ameer, Karbabad and many other places, chanting slogans against King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa and holding his pictures upside down, Arabic-language and independent newspaper Manama Post reported.

The protesters also carried the pictures of prisoners currently being held captive in the Bahraini regime’s detention facilities, and demanded a new administration that would establish equality among people from various walks of life.

Meanwhile, the European-Bahraini Organization for Human Rights (EBOHR) has voiced concerns over the deteriorating health condition of the imprisoned founding member of the Islamic Action Society (AMAL), Khalil al-Halwachi.

The EBOHR stated that Halwachi, who is currently being kept in Dry Dock detention center, complained of severe pain in the rib cage, difficulty in moving his right arm and lack of access to medical care during his last visit with family members on September 22.

It warned that the general health condition of the top AMAL official is getting worse due to the persistent mistreatment of prison officials and medical negligence.

Halwachi has been sentenced to imprisonment on alleged charges of illegal possession of a firearm, and is scheduled to stand trial on October 27.

EBOHR further urged Bahraini authorities to release Halwachi and other prisoners of conscience, and open an investigation into the accusation of torture and mistreatment in Bahrain’s jails.

Anti-regime protesters have been holding demonstrations on the streets of Bahrain since mid-February 2011, calling for the Al Khalifa family to relinquish power.

The ongoing heavy-handed crackdown on peaceful demonstrations has left scores of Bahrainis dead and hundreds of others injured