Citizens detained in Bahrain, Saudis urged to release scholar
On Thursday 29th August former prisoner, Ayman Slaman from Samaheej town was detained. He was summoned to the CID department, interrogated and locked up. He was recently released after 11 years of imprisonment. On Sunday 1st September native Bahraini youth Ibrahim Adel Ibrahim, from Ma’ameer town was detained. He was also summoned to appear at the Prosecution Office where he was arrested. Two other persons were also detained: Jassim Abdulla Yousuf (Bahraini) and Ayman Salman Mohammed were arrested.
On Tuesday 26th August, under-aged Bahraini youth, Ali Hussain Ali Nasser Al Matrook, 15, from Karrahnah town was arrested. On 28th August he was taken to the notorious prosecution office which decided to detain him for one week. He was not allocated a lawyer at the prosecution office or at the detention centre where he was interrogated. The khalifi regime arrested a native Bahraini upon his return to the country. Ali Al Baqqali had made a religious visit to Iraq to observe the Arbaeen.
On 29th August seven under-aged children were brought before the khalifi prosecutor. They were detained on 5thAugust: Sadeq Ibrahim, Hassan Hbail, (Sitra, Mhzza Housing), Mohammed Isa Khatam (Sitra Sfalah), Hassan Saleh Al Barri (Markooban), Ali Salman (Iskan Sitra), Mahmood Abdulla Aman (Ma’ameer), Ali Ahmed Umran (Iskan Sitra, Sfalah) and Yousuf Al Tawq.
Fadel Khalil Ibrahim has had his detention extended by ten more days. His hopes of joining the Teachers College have now been dashed. Many others who had been released with a purported “royal pardon” are being recalled for interrogation that often leads to detention.
On 1st September, Brian Dooley, chairman of “Human Rights First” published an article titled: Seriously Ill Bahraini political prisoner calls for help from visiting US Congressional delegation. The author detailed the case of elderly Bahriani political prisoner, Mohammed Hassan Al Raml who is seeking medical help as his health rapidly deteriorates. The article is an indictment of the regime of Bahrain.
From behind bars Bahraini political prisoner, Hussain Mahdi Ali Jassim, 30 from Dar Klaib town issued a cry for help deep from his heart. He said: I am 30 years of age. In 2013 I was arrested when I was 19 and sentenced to prison terms totalling 73 years because I was calling for the political rights of the Bahraini people.
On 28th August Reprieve, which opposes capital punishment urged UK’s prime minister, Keir Starmer to intercede with the government of Bahrain to spare the lives of two Bahrainis on death row. It said: Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa have been on death row in Bahrain for a decade, after being convicted based on false, torture-tainted confessions. The previous UK Government promised to publicly intervene in their cases, but never did. Will you, Keir Starmer?
The management of the Dry Dock prison are refusing to transfer Hajji Munir Mushaima to hospital for treatment that he urgently needs. He is the father of the first martyr of the Revolution and is being targeted by the regime for revenge. He suffers various ailments especially severe pain in his right leg. He was detained in July and his family has raised the alarm about his deteriorating health.
Last week Saudi Arabia officially submitted its bid to host the 2034 World Cup. Yet for many Saudis, especially the families whose loved ones are imprisoned or under travel ban for peacefully expressing themselves, it isn’t such a cause for celebration. They have appealed to the world to re-consider the decision in light of their continuing suffering. They pointed to the Saudi policy of what has become known as “sportswashing”. i.e., exploiting sports for political and propaganda purposes.
Saudi activist, Abdul Rahman Al Khalidi has resumed his hunger strike that he started on 5th July. He is protesting his arbitrary detention by the Bulgarian authorities. He is threatened with deportation to Saudi Arabia. He was arrested two years ago and has been subjected to medical negligence and physical abuse. Amnesty International has called on the Bulgarian authorities to release him and grant him his rights in accordance with the international law.
Many prisoners in Saudi Arabia, including fitness instructor Manahel al-Oteibi, aid worker Abdulrahman al-Sadhan and human rights defender Mohammed al-Qahtani, continue to be forcibly disappeared. On International Day of the Disappeared (30th August) human rights bodies, including Alqst have called on Saudi authorities to end this cruel policy.
Calls have been made for the release of Sheikh Hussain Al Radhi, a senior cleric from Al Ihsa in the Eastern Province of Arabia. He has been in detention since 2016 serving 13 years jail sentence imposed by the Saudi regime His crime was calling in his Friday sermons for an end to the Saudi intervention in Yemen and Bahrain. This elderly prisoner of conscience deserves a better treatment.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
4th September 2024