Bahraini youths detained, three Saudis beheaded
In the past seven days many arrests were made by the regime’s security forces. They include: Hadi Younus (from Karzakkan town), Hussain Ali (Karranah), Hajji Jamil Al Shuwaikh (Barbar), Mohammed Fadel (Al-Muharraq(and Hajji Sadeq Mirza (Jannusan).
On 21st October the khalifi security forces arrested two under-aged native Bahrainis. Hussain Ali Hassan Mahdi Abbas, 16 and Abdul Aziz Hussain Al Hamadi, 15 were detained without an arrest warrant or valid reasons. Both have now been denied the opportunity to pursue their studies. Human rights activists have condemned the arrests and called for the immediate and unconditional release of the two boys.
Human rights activist and former political prisoner, Ali Hajji has called for the immediate transfer of a political prisoner to hospital. Ahmed Mohammed Abdullah, who has been behind bars since 18th May 2015, is suffering from skin infection that caused painful scars, severe scratches and high temperature. He was infected when he was transferred by his jailers to the isolation wing. Mr Hajji is concerned for the health state of this prisoner of conscience. His family repeatedly offered to provide specialist treatment but their request was turned down. Al Hajji called for an end to these abuses which threaten the lives of the prisoners. Mr Abdulla is serving two life sentences and further sentences totalling 78 years.
AlWefaq Islamic Society issued its monthly report for September report which documented the human rights abuses in that month. It said that 64 people had been detained including two children and a religious scholar. 39 people were summoned for interrogation including a child and four photojournalists. Seven political prisoners were denied family contact for the whole month. The report documented 66 cases of attacks on homes in 32 towns and villages especially Duraz and Sanabis. At least 28 towns witnessed 64 protests and demonstrations in September.
Last Friday regime’s forces attacked a peaceful demonstration in solidarity with the people of Lebanon and Palestine. It emerged after the Friday Prayers at Imam Saqeq Mosque in Duraz. At least one protester was detained. The regime has called for this weekly demonstration to stop and threatened serious reprisals.
On 17th October four native Bahrainis were detained in Duraz. They were pursued in their car by the regime’s forces and forced to stop. The four were manhandled and abused before they were taken away for more persecution away from the public glare.
The regime’s security forces have refused to release a native Bahraini political prisoner after a court had acquitted him. Yesterday Ahmed Salman Mirza (from Malikiya) was brought to the court which found him innocent of all the regime’s fabrications against him. But until today he remains behind bars. No explanation has been given to his family which is growing extremely frustrated and angry.
The Saudi regime has executed two native Saudis from the Eastern Province on trumped up charges. They were accused of “committing criminal acts including betrayal of the country and associating with a terrorist organisation” They were also accused of “financing terrorism, committing terrorist acts and possessing arms”. They were convicted by the regime’s Specialised Criminal Court and beheaded in Riyadh. On 20th October the Saudi interior ministry confirmed the execution of Yahya Mohammed Al Shebaili the day before. He was accused of killing his father. Amnesty International has documented many of these executions. More than 200 people have so far been executed this year alone.
The UK High Court in London has granted permission for Alqst founder Yahya Assiri to serve a legal claim against Saudi Arabia for Pegasus cyberattacks. This verdict reflects well on similar cases linked to Bahraini activists who had defeated the khalifis at the High court earlier this year. Their computers were hacked by the khalifi agents and their privacy was thus compromised. The High Court’s verdict is a milestone in the fight to protect the security and privacy of citizens.
Right Livelihood and ALQST for Human Rights delivered a joint statement expressing concern over human rights violations in Saudi Arabia at the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Their representatives highlighted issues such as the denial of entry to international experts, reprisals against human rights defenders and arbitrary arrests. They called on the Council to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for these ongoing abuses.
The political prisoners at Bloc 6 of the notorious Jau prison have been denied contacts with their families for more than two weeks. The families have expressed serious concern for their well-being. This follows their sit-in inside the jail for a second time. This followed the regime’s failure to implement earlier promises to improve the conditions inside the jail and allow proper medical care for the sick.
The Saudi security forces have arrested a total of 21,971 illegal residents from various regions of Saudi Arabia during last week. The arrests were made during the joint field security campaigns that were carried out in collaboration with the concerned government agencies during the period between Oct. 10 and Oct. 16. Those who were arrested included 13,186 violators of the Residency Law, 5,427 violators of the Border Security Law, and 3,358 violators of the Labor Law, the Ministry of Interior announced on Saturday.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
23rd October 2024
