Bahrainis jailed for Martyrs Day activism, Saudi executions continue
Bahrain’s Martyrs Day was marked by the people inside the country and outside. There were several protests in which participants held the pictures of some of the martyrs. Families visited the graves of their loved ones killed by the regime and prayers were offered for them. In London, the opposition held a protest outside Bahrain’s Embassy and organised a seminar in Central London which was addressed by activists and sympathesisers. The regime’s reaction has been vicious, with many young Bahrainis detained and abused.
On 15th December four natives (from Sitra and Ma’amir towns) were unjustly tried and given long prison sentences. Hassan Mohammed Al Abood, 18 (from Sitra Alkharjiyah) and Fadel Abbas, 18 (from Ma’amir) were given one year. Hassan Jaffar, 16 (from Sitra Sfalah) and Ali Saeed Sdaif, 16 (from Sitra Alkharjiyah) were sentenced to six months in jail. They had been arrested on 5th July 2024 in a police chase in the roads and alleyways. They were severely beaten after their arrest. They were then transferred to Qudaibiya police station. On 15th December Bahraini regime’s court imposed a one-year prison sentence on political prisoner, Mu’ammal Ali Mansoor, from Malkiyah town. He was accused of “illegal gathering. He had been arrested on 20th December when he attended an interrogation session at Al Adliyah CID centre.
On 15th December khalifi forces detained native Bahraini Hajji Jamil ElEqaiffah for praying at Imam Sadeq Mosque in Duraz. Regime’s court ordered his detention for one week “pending investigation”. Two days earlier he had been stopped and interrogated at the Bahrain-Saudi causeway.
Regime’s security services have intensified their repression and summoned many people for interrogation that often involves torture and abuse. On Thursday evening scores of natives from at least three towns (Duraz, Aali and AbuQuwwa) were ordered to appear for interrogation at the notorious CID centre the following day, The interrogation revolved around a peaceful rally in Adari area, the birth place of the latest martyr, Hussain Amaan who died in custody last week.
Four political prisoners at Bloc 7 of the notorious Jau prison have collapsed as a result of starvation and hydration. They include Mohammed Reda Lu’lui who is in a serious condition. The inmates announced through a loudspeaker that the prisoners are in dire conditions and some of them had collapsed as a result of deprivation of food and drink. The security forces ignored the plea and refused to provide food or drink. For the past two years the prison management had reduced the size of the food portion to the prisoners as a means to break their will and force them to give up the struggle.
For almost two months the families of the political prisoners on death row have not heard from them. Those prisoners are denied the right to communicate with the outside world including their families, go out for fresh air or to exercise their religious rights. The sister of a death row prisoner, Hussain Ali Moosa said: For 50 days I have missed my brother’s voice and I do not know when the prison officials will end this misery”. The sister of Hussain Marzooq and the father of Hussain Ali Mahdi also expressed anxiety and fear for their sons who are being continuously abused by the prison officials.
Political Prisoner Mohammed Abdul Hadi Al Baqqali is being denied his medicines for his colon ailment. This is in addition to being denied food and water for the past two weeks. His much-needed medicines finished 20 days ago but the authorities have refused to provide new ones.
The Saudi authorities have continued their executions with intensity. On Friday 13th December Raateb Ahmed Raateb, an Eygptian, was beheaded at Al Jawf town. He was accused of dealing in Amphetamine tablets. On 14th December a Yemeni citizen, Bassam Abdul Rahman Al Faqih was also beheaded at the AlQaseem city in Central Arabia. This time the charge was murder, according to the authorities. A Saudi national from the Eastern Province, was beheaded on 15th December. Muhannad bin Zuhair bin Ali AlMulla was accused of murder, tried and sentenced to death. On 17th December a Jordanian national, Jawal Suleiman Matar AlSharafat was beheaded at the same town for the same charge. In all these cases the accused were sentenced to death by the Specialised Criminal Court. But jurists have consistently accused the Saudis of killing people after what they call “unfair trials” which fall short of international standards.
Last week, the Saudi human rights organisation, Alqst, held its Annual Conference, to mark the 10th anniversary of its inception. Speakers hailed the work of Alqst and other human rights bodies, called for the release of the political prisoners and urged the Saudi regime to refrain from intensifying the use of capital punishment. Speakers delivered their talks in person and online, while audience also followed the proceedings both live and online. Participants include Khalid Ibrahim, the president of the Gulf Centre for Human Rights, Palestinian researcher, Marwa Fatafta, Falah Al Sayed, woman officer at MENA group for human rights and Dr Madawi Al Rashid, a Saudi academic and political activist.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
18th December 2024
