Khalifi image smeared at Windsor, Saudis execute 3, Interpol chief investigated
Yesterday, a Khalifi court upheld a one-year prison sentence on six under-aged native Bahrainis. They were accused of opposing the tribal dictatorship and called for democratic transformation. The six are: Mohammad Jaffar Al Kuwaiti, 15, his two brothers, Muqtada, 15 and Muntadhar, 14, Ahmad Hubail, 15, Mohammad Abdul Zahra, 15 and Ali Hussain. 14. They were arrested in December.
On 15th May Mahmood Abdul Jabbar who is serving a ten-year prison sentence imposed by khalifis for his political views started hunger strike. He is protesting the dire situation at the Dry Dock prison and the lack of proper treatment and medication for his sickle cell disease. He was only 17 when he was charged and sentenced in 2019.
The native Bahraini political prisoner, Ahmad Jaber who was released from khalifi jails last week has attracted the attention of many when he emerged with supporting steel rods attached to his head. He was in a perfect health when he was detained 18 months ago. He was given ten years prison sentence for his political opposition and left to rot in the filthy cells. He attracted Tuberculosis outside the lungs which crippled him. This is due to a bacteria that attacks various parts of the body like the bones, kidneys and the nervous system.
Political inmates at the Central Jau Prison have expressed solidarity with Mohammad Abdul Amir Al Sari who is serving 18 years jail sentence for his political stands. He is now suffering severe form of epilepsy after years of medical neglect. Also at Jau prison an elderly political prisoner was severely tortured this week. Hajji Abd Ali Khair, 53 was beaten mercilessly by one the torturers. His identity was given as Mohammad Salem.
The visit to UK by Bahrain’s dictator to attend the Windsor Horse Show has become a public relations disaster to him and his hosts. Human rights bodies, journalists and political activists had called for the visit to be cancelled as a sign of respect to his thousands of victims, many of whom had died and thousands more have suffered lengthy jail sentences. The Guardian published an article by Mark Townsend, its Home Affairs Editor titled: “Exiles angry as Queen hosts king of Bahrain:” It said: “The ruling Al-Khalifa family continues to repress Bahraini civil society and severely restrict fundamental civic freedoms. Despite this, since at least 2013, the Queen has made annual invitations to Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa AlKhalifa for him to attend the Royal Windsor Horse Show (RWHS) as her personal guest.” There were similar articles in the Independent and other media. On 17th May Under the heading: Bahrain Sportswashing at Windsor Horse Show, Kirsten Bayes, CAAT’s Local Outreach Coordinator wrote: Bahrain is an authoritarian dictatorship, an absolute monarchy, which has a long history of human rights abuses. Allegations of torture go back decades, and during the “Arab Spring” the regime jailed dozens of pro-democracy activists, many of whom are still in prison. Medical neglect of prisoners, and threats to dissidents and their families are common. Survivors of torture and teargassing by the regime were present on the demonstration at the weekend, which also highlighted the long-term abuse of political prisoners by the regime. Reprieve, the anti-capital punishment body also reacted angrily to the dictator’s visit and tweeted: “Torture survivors spend years on Bahrain’s death row, in fear of execution without notice. #Bahrain rulers return home with the comforting thought that no matter how much pain they inflict on their people, they will still be feted in the UK”.
The Saudi regime has, once again, committed a grave crime against the people of the Eastern Province of Arabia. On Saturday 14th May his executioners beheaded two natives for taking part in anti-regime protests several years ago. Mohammed bin Khodr bin Hashem al-Awami and Hussein bin Ali al-Abu Abdullah, were executed atter a secret unfair trial. They were subjected to horrific torture and forced to sign fabricated confessions that they had carried out “terrorist” acts. A Yemeni prisoner, Mohammad Abdul Baset Al Mu’allimi was the third victim of the Saudi atrocity. His main “crime” was his links with the Ansarullah movement. On 12th March 81 were executed, including 41 from the Eastern Province.
Last week, UAE president, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan passed away following a long illness. His brother, Mohammad bin Zayed (MBZ) inherited his position. Britain’s foreign secretary, Liz Truss tweeted her congratulations to MBZ: Congratulations to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on his election as President of the United Arab Emirates. I pay tribute to his leadership, and look forward to growing the already strong relationship between our two countries.” Phil Miller, Chief reporter of @DeclassifiedUK tweeted: “Britain’s foreign secretary here endorsing a presidential “election” where just 7 people had the right to vote “. Meanwhile French authorities have opened a case against Interpol president Ahmed Nasser al-Raisi of the United Arab Emirates over accusations of torture and arbitrary detention filed by two Britons who were detained in the country. According to AFP, the case into suspected complicity in torture by the top UAE official has been handed by French anti-terror prosecutors to an investigating magistrate who will now decide whether to press charges. The two Britons, Matthew Hedges and Ali Issa Ahmad, accuse al-Raisi of having ultimate responsibility – as a senior interior ministry security official – for the torture and arbitrary detention they say they suffered in the UAE.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
18th May 2022