Manama, Bahrain - Bahraini authorities arrested three opposition figures on Monday, including the head of the Haq Movement, a senior member in it and a Shiite clergymen who is closely linked to the movement.

The early morning raids that led to the arrests came about after the three refused to adhere to a request by the public prosecutor to appear in front of investigators on Sunday.

Haq secretary general Hasan Mushaima, human rights committee head and official spokesman for the movement Abduljalil al-Singace and Sheikh Mohammad Habib al-Miqdad were all taken to unspecified locations following the raids on their homes.

The three had said that the decision not to appear in front of the prosecution was reached after the notifications they received failed to specify the charges they were facing or the reasons for them.

A statement issued by the movement late Saturday night questioned the independence of the judiciary system and described the investigation as harassment of activists. (dpa)