Milkshake promoter denies protests during Kardashian visit

Reality TV star Kim Kardashian’s trip to Bahrain drew in large crowds of excited fans but the promoter behind her trip to the Gulf state has denied reports of protestors being tear-gassed by police.

Kardashian, who shot to fame along with her family in the reality TV show, ‘Keeping up With The Kardashians’, stopped off in Kuwait and then Bahrain to celebrate the official opening of two Millions of Milkshakes stores.

“WHAT PROTESTS?? Kim Kardashian loved by the people of Bahrain & wants to return!!” Sheeraz Hassan wrote on Twitter.  

Media reports on Saturday claimed police in Bahrain dispersed around 100 demonstrators with stun grenades after they took to the street demonstrating against the 32-year old reality TV star.

Kardashian stirred controversy even before she arrived in the Gulf state. Earlier in the week government officials in Bahrain tried to stop star from visiting because of her “bad reputation”.

Legislators last week attempted to push through a resolution to prevent the star from visiting Bahrain but failed, Al Wasat newspaper reported.

“A group of MPs in today’s parliamentary session submitted a proposal to prevent the hosting of American socialite Kim Kardashian, describing her as having a ‘bad reputation,’” the newspaper report said, adding that the attempt failed. 

Thousands of fans, who had paid up to BHD 500 Bahraini (US$1,360) a ticket, turned up to see Kardashian open the Riffa branch of Millions of Milkshakes.

“Thanks Sheikh Khalifa for your amazing hospitality. I'm in love with The Kingdom of Bahrain,” Kardashian wrote on her Twitter page Saturday.