Main Friday prayers banned in Bahrain, More Saudis beheaded
In a serious escalation, the khalifi regime in Bahrain has banned the Friday prayers at Imam Sadiq Mosque in Duraz for the past three weeks. The town was besieged by the khalifi forces on the three Fridays, the Imam was banned from entering the town and worshippers threatened if they attempted to enter in their own ways. Banning the prayers has angered the population who fear more retributions by the khalifis who have failed to quell the people’s thrust to achieve democratic transformation. This attack on the religious rights of the overwhelming majority of the population is likely to deepen the crisis between the natives and the khalifi occupiers. It is clear that the khalifi dictators are fomenting a dangerous religious war.
Last month there were at least 87 arrests and detentions in Bahrain. The khalifi regime has been incensed by the people’s support for Palestine and Lebanon and staging protests to declare their solidarity with the people of both countries. After besieging Imam Ali’s mosque in Saar town on Friday 1st November, worshippers were targeted and several people were subsequently detained: Abbas Hassan Al Jamri, Mahdi Sadeq Fateel, Hussain Naji Fateel and Yousuf Mohammed Baqir Fateel.
The regime’s prosecutors have extended the detention of Mohammed Jaffar and Abdulla Mohammed for 30 days. Also, the two detained brothers, Ibrahim and Hussain Al Mahari had their detention extended for 15 more days. Yesterday Mohammed Hamid from Abu Quwwa town was detained for 15 days on orders by the regime’s prosecutors. For the past two weeks political prisoner, Ahmed Jaffar from Daih Town has been languishing in solitary confinement. On Monday 4th November, the regime’s prosecutors extended the detention of five political prisoners from Abu Saiba town by 15 more days. Mohammed Mansoor, Sayed Abbas Taher, Ahmed Yassin, Sayed Mahmood Ali and Hussain Helal. They were detained on 11th October.
The trial of four native Bahrainis from Sitra and Ma’amir towns was postponed until 11th November: Hassan Jaffar, 16 (from Sitra Sfalah), Hassan Mohammed Al Abood, 18 from Sitra Kharjiyah, Saeed Saif, 16 from Sitra Kharjiyah and Fadel Abbas, 18 from Ma’amir are being subjected to most severe conditions and treatment. They were accused of taking part in a peaceful protest.
Two political prisoners have been transferred to unknown location this week. Abdulla Al Mughanni (from Sitra) and Jaffar Sahwan (from Al Ekr) were first taken the prison’s clinic, but instead of being returned to their cells, they were taken somewhere else. It is feared that they are now held in isolation cells as a punishment for taking part in a protest with other political prisoners.
Fadel Khalil Ibrahim (from Karbabad) was detained on 19th July when he was under-aged. He was taken this week to the general prosecutors who decided to extend his detention further. Another 15 years child, Ali Hussain Ali Al Matrook was taken to the child and family prosecutors. Instead of releasing him, his detention was extended for one more month. This is the fifth extension. On 26th October, Mahmood Mohammed Jassim Haroon was summoned for interrogation by the CID officers following his participation in a peaceful pro-Palestine protest. He was given one week detention.
Where is death row prisoner Mohamed Ramadhan? He hasn’t been heard from for one week, amidst concerns he may be in solitary confinement. Reprieve, the anti-execution campaigning organisation said that “the Bahrain’s Government needs to immediately return him to his cell and re-establish a line of communication with his family”
On Saturday 2nd November the Saudi Interior Ministry announced the execution of four citizens and two Yemenis from Najran city. Ahmed Mohammed Ali Al Salameh, Yahya Saleh Hussain Al Wa’eli (both Yemenis), Hadi bin Salem AlYami, Salem bin Rukhaim AlYami, Ali bin Hadi AlQarad and Abdullh bin Ahme Sharia were executed in the southern city of Najran. They were falsely accused of belonging to “terrorist” cells, possession of arms and planning terrorist acts, which they vehemently denied.
A Saudi artist has been sentenced to more than two decades in prison over political cartoons that allegedly insulted the Gulf kingdom’s leadership. The case against Mohammed al-Hazza Al-Ghamdi, 48, adds to concerns about freedom of expression under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The father of five was arrested in February 2018 in Saudi Arabia during ‘a violent raid’ in which security forces entered his home and ransacked his studio, the London-based Sanad Human Rights Organisation said in a statement. He is also accused of communicating with the state of Qatar.
Contrary to rumours circulating, famous podcaster Hatem al-Najjar remains has been in prison since January 2024. Human rights activists have called on the Saudi authorities to release him immediately. Other stakeholders are pushing for his release ahead of the Red Sea Film Festival.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
6th November 2024
