Bahraini children dragged to torture cells, pleas to release Saudi HRDs
Yesterday, under-aged Bahraini youth Hussain Ali Hassan Mahdi, 15 (from Karranah town) was dragged by the khalifi security agents from the court hall to prison. Also, regime’s forces detained under-aged Bahraini native Aqeel Muslim Abd Ali (from Karranah town). He was summoned by the CID officers who arrested him. On 8th January Mohammed Habib Baddao (from Duraz) was arrested after he had been summoned by the CID. He was among those who were freed on Eid Al Fitr by a royal decree. Regime’s prosecutors have ordered the detention of young native Aqeel Al Majed, 15, and the adjournment of his case until 25th January.
In a new slap to justice, the khalifi regime yesterday issued a five-year prison sentence against Sheikh Hussain Al Daihi, the Deputy Secretary General of Al Wefaq Society. He has been in exile for more than ten years. The regime’s action came in response to Al Daihi’s tweet in which he called for the trial of “those who ban the Friday prayers!” The khalifi dictator has thus committed two crimes; banning the Friday prayers and persecuting those who oppose the ban.
On 3rd January regime’s forces arrested two young Bahrainis: Abdulla Hassan Al Saari (from Aaali town) and Jassim Abdulla Jassim Al Sanadi (from Sitra). Both are former political prisoners. Al Saari spent seven years behind bars after his arrest on 6th May 2013. Al Sanadi had spent ten full years in jail after his arrest on 15th February 2012.
Bahraini political prisoners are now facing institutionalised medical negligence that has caused them enormous problems. On 12th January, Sayed Dhaher Habib collapsed after his condition had deteriorated. He had suffered serious skin disease, prescribed some medicines but none was provided to him and his pleas for proper treatment were ignored.
On Monday 13th January three under-aged children were given a six-months prison sentences for taking part in a peaceful protest. Abbas Muslim Abd Ali, 17, Ali Hussain Nasser Al Matrook, 15 and Abdul Aziz Hussain Jaffar Al Hamadi, 15, were arrested in August and September. The three are from Karranah town. Meanwhile, the trial of three other Bahrainis was adjourned until 19th January. Sadeq Hassan Marhoon, Mohammed Jassim Marhoon and Abdulla Hassan were arrested in September and October after taking part in a peaceful protest. On Sunday 12th regime’s court passed a five-year prison sentence on Mahmood Hassan Isa Al Hamar (from the town of Dair). He was arrested on 11th November upon his arrival from Iran.
Political prisoner, Abdulla Jaffar Mohammed Al Mughanni, 35 from Al Ekr town, is suffering severe back pain. Last week he pleaded with the prison officials to transfer him to hospital, but they did not respond immediately. Three days later he was taken to a hospital where he was given pain killers only. He had developed a slip disc as a result of the torture sessions that started immediately after his arrest on 11th November 2015.
Five political prisoners have started hunger strike calling for better treatment, immediate trial and release. They are held on administrative detention without real evidence of any criminal activity. Hussain Al Samahiji, Sayed Qassim Sayed Ali Al Alawi, Sajjad Al Ujaimi, Ali Abd Ali Al Baqqali and Ahmed Abdul Hussain Shahin were arrested four months ago.
A political prisoner has asked for an urgent attention to his serious medical complaints after several appointments were cancelled as he became frail. For the past week he has been vomiting blood and is extremely worried about his medical condition. Abdul Aziz Abdul Reda Al Saqqai said in a statement this week: “I have spent 14 years in jail and my medical condition is deteriorating.” His doctor prescribed some medicine for him, but they were not provided. For the past week he has been vomiting blood.
The prison authorities have banned the political detainees at Jua prison from exercising their religious freedom and rights. Last Friday they wanted to hold a session to mark the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Mohammed Al Jawad (the nineth Imam of the Shia Muslim faith). They were told to expect severe punishment if they did.
Saudi human rights bodies have called for the release of activists who were detained recently. For the last 30 days, fitness instructor Manahel al-Otaibi has been held incommunicado, in a clear violation of the Convention Against Torture which Saudi Arabia had ratified. Calls have been made for her immediate and unconditional release. Also, activist and UK-based political refugee Salman AlKhaldi was arrested on 1 January in Iraq and extradited to Kuwait. Human rights activists have called for UK’s urgent intervention with the Kuwaiti authorities and to provide him consular assistance.
A young man from Qatif (in Eastern Arabia) has languished in the khalifi jails since August without charge or trial. Ayman Al Iblis (of a Saudi father and a Bahraini mother from Samahij) was among the mass releases on Eid Al Fitr after spending 11 years behind bars. He was arrested after a few months of his release because he did not have the Bahraini nationality. The khalifi regime wanted to deport him to Saudi Arabia. But the Saudis did want him because he did not have Saudi documents. He remains in a limbo.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
15th January 2025
