Anti-regime protests continue in Bahrain, more Saudis beheaded
Arbitrary detentions have continued unabated in Bahrain. Salman Ali, a young native was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday 12th November after his home in Karzakkan was raided. Also, Ali Jaffar Khalil was remanded in custody for 15 days for taking part in a protest in support of Palestine. On 13th November native Bahraini citizen Abdul Aziz Shakir was arrested at the regime’s court and dragged to spend one month at his torture cell.
The trial of four political prisoners from Sitra town has been postponed until 15th December. Hassan Jaffar, 16 from Sitra Sfalah, Hassan Mohammed Al Abbood, 18 from Sitra Kharjiya, Ali Saeed Sdaif, 16 from Sitra Kharjiyah and Fadel Abbas, 18 from Ma’amir were detained on 5th July after being pursued by regime’s security officers in a police car who attempted to hit them.
Protests and demonstrations have continued in several areas of Bahrain. Last Friday there were protests in Karbabad town in support of the people of Gaza and Lebanon and against the ban on the Friday prayers at Imam Sadiq Mosque in Duraz. A similar demonstration took place in Samaheej, near the airport. There were similar protest at various other places. The political demands have remained central to these protests despite the attempts by the regime to confuse the situation through arrests, detentions, spreading of corruption and raising the bar with regards to foreign alliances including those with Israel.
In its monthly report for October, Al Wefaq Islamic Society recorded 348 human rights violations including arbitrary detentions, house raids and attacks on peaceful protests. There were 106 arrests including 4 scholars, 4 children and 92 summons. Most were linked to peaceful protests in support of Palestine and Lebanon. There were 104 raids in 34 areas like Duraz, Shakhoura and Abu Saiba. There were 11 cases of ill-treatment and denial of medical care. Also, there were attacks on prisoners at blocs 7, 8, 9 and 10 of Jau prison. There were 103 peaceful protests including 63 pro-Palestine solidarity rallies.
After the end of the punishments of death row prisoners Hussain Marzooq, Hussain Mahdi, Mohammed Ramadan and Zuhair Ibrahim Jassim they were transferred to share cells with common law criminals. They were kept in isolation cells for several weeks after protesting against their ill-treatment. Human rights activist, Ali Hajee called for a review of their original conviction. Her argued that it was based on “confessions” drawn under torture. When they protested against denying one of them contact with his seriously ill father, they were punished. Riot police were sent in to crush the protest. Then they were placed in isolation cells.
The health of a senior opposition figure has sharply deteriorated in recent days. Earlier this week, Sheikh Mirza Al Mahroos, 65 who has spent almost 14 years behind bars was rushed from his torture cell to the hospital for immediate treatment. No details of his condition have been revealed. He suffers severe abdominal pain, bleeding and serious headaches. He also suffers from irregular heart beats. His family has expressed serious concerns for his health.
The regime’s ban on Friday prayers at the largest mosque in the country has continued for the 7th week running. Worshippers were not allowed to enter the town of Duraz to attend the weekly congregation. This is part of the regime’s religious persecution of the overwhelming majority population. Feelings among worshippers are running high as the khalifi policies become more repressive, exclusive and dictatorial. On 15th November the most senior religious scholar, Sheikh Isa Qassim said from his exile that the regime’s decision is a cruel war on religion and the religious freedoms. He added that this policy serves the Zionist plans and is imposed to impress the Israeli interests and politicians.
On Sunday 17th November Jau Central Prison witnessed an escalation of protests by the political prisoners. The inmates protested the medical negligence, power cuts, switching off hot water heaters and imposing strict rules on meals distribution. The same pattern was repeated the following day when the security forces intervened using force against the prisoners.
On Thursday 14th November the Saudi ministry of the interior said that two citizens had been executed for alleged “terrorist acts”. It accused Ali bin Abdulla Al Sai’ari and Abdul Aziz bin Muslih Al Omari of involvement in criminal acts that “amount to betrayal of the country”, communicating with terrorist elements, helping and financing terrorism, adopting terrorist doctrines that allow blood-letting and violating people’s rights and associating with a terrorist organisation. The regime’s Specialised Criminal Court (SCC), as usual, rubber-stamped the sentence which led the beheading of the two innocent men. Saudi Arabia has executed more than 100 foreigners this year so far – the highest number ever, according to human rights groups. The latest execution, on Saturday in the southwestern region of Najran, was of a Yemeni national convicted of alleged drug smuggling, the official Saudi Press Agency reported.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
20th November 2024
