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South Korea's defence agency has ordered companies to suspend tear gas exports to Bahrain following pressure from human rights groups.
The state-run Defence Acquisition Programme Administration instructed two companies not to ship tear gas to the Gulf state after they had inquired about possible exports, agency officials said.
Both companies exported tear gas to Bahrain in 2011 and 2012, but the exports now need state approval because a key ingredient is listed as a strategic material in South Korea.
Programme officials said the decision had been made after study of the overall situation in Bahrain.
Considerations included media reports that misuse of tear gas had caused the deaths and injuries of protesters and calls by rights groups for a ban on exports of the gas.
Amnesty International hailed South Korea's decision.
"The South Korean authorities should be commended for this move to help prevent further human rights violations in Bahrain," said Amnesty head of arms control and human rights Brian Wood.
But Bahrain's interior ministry retorted that it had not been formally informed of any ban on the export of tear gas.
The ministry said its use of tear gas was fully compliant with international law and made a point of distinguishing its use in "riot control situations" rather than on sanctioned gatherings.
"Tear gas is used by Bahrain's police force only as a necessary and proportionate measure and in public order and riot-control situations," the ministry claimed.
