Escalation of detentions in Bahrain and executions in Saudi Arabia
On 27th January regime’s courts sentenced four native Bahrainis from Sanabis town to three months in jail. Ali Reda Jaffar, 17, Sayed Ahmad Al Falla, 16 Mohammed Moosa, 16 and Reda Marhoon, 17 were convicted of taking part in a peaceful protest. On 2nd December the court had imposed a two-month jail sentence on the first three of the group.
The pace of political arrests has escalated since the beginning of the New Year. The latest arrests include: Abdulla Hussain and Hussain Ahmed from Sanabis town, Hussain Al Qaidoom from Sqayya town, Salman Abdul Razzaq and his brother Mohammed from Maqaba town, Ali Reda, Ali Ahmed and Ahmed Abdul Latif. They were all summoned by the CID and detained. Regime forces have also arrested native Bahraini youth Ibrahim Adel Ibrahim (from Al Ma’aamir town) after he was given a three months prison sentence. He was accused of taking part in a peaceful protest calling for political rights.
Political prisoner Ali Dawood has been transferred to an isolation cell following an argument with one of the prison guards at Jau Prison. This is part of a pattern used by the regime to increase the psychological pressure on the political activists in total disregard to their rights.
On Monday 27th January regime’s court adjourned the trial of a political prisoner as a means of intensifying the pressure on native Bahrainis. Jassim Mohammed Salem (from Abu Quwwa town) was detained after being summoned by the CID on 13th October 2024. He was accused of taking part in a peaceful protest calling for political rights. His new trial will be on 3rd February.
On Thursday 23rd January the detention of two political prisoners was extended. Hassan Jaffar Masood and Abdulla Al Mo’athen (from Samheej town) had their detention extended by two more weeks. They were arrested on 17th January.
The regime’s officers at Bloc 5 of Jau Prison have punished the political detainees for performing their religious duties. When they went out to the courtyard for their daily outing on Monday they sat together to mourn the martyrdom of the 7th Shia Muslims, Imam Musa ibn Jaffar who died of poison in 183 AH (12thAugust 799AD). They were handcuffed as they did their religious duty. They remained standing with their hands in chains as they performed the rituals. When they returned to their cells 45 minutes later, they were told that they would not be allowed to contact their families or go out to the courtyard as a punishment.
The suffering of the political prisoners has been spiralling as more restrictions are imposed in four of the prison blocs. Political prisoners concentrated in four buildings (1, 2, 3, and 5) of the notorious Jau Prison continue to endure harsh conditions. They face increasing harassment during their daily outing and stiff retributions when they perform their religious duties. Some prisoners were transferred to isolation cells. Health conditions are also deteriorating. Skin diseases are spreading as health care is becoming more restricted. Prisoners were allowed to purchase some items (milk, dates, soap, and shampoo) from the canteen (prison store) for the first time since the strike ended. The canteen prices are sky-high.
The Saudi authorities have announced the execution of seven citizens in Mecca, accused of drug trafficking. The victims are: Mabkhoot bin Mubarak AlSay’ari, Mabkhoot bin Abdulla Al Say’ari, Mane’ bin Hamad AlYami, Mohammed bin Mohammed Al Ma’roof AlSay’ari, Qayed bin Abdulla AlKarbi, Mohammed bin Murbarak AlSay’ari and Salem bin Qad’aan AlSay’ari were accused of drug trafficking. They were sentenced to death and were beheaded on Sunday 26th January. Another person was beheaded in Assir Province.
Woman activist Manahel al-Otaibi is being held incommunicado in her cell, raising fears that she may be subjected to further abuse. For the last 30 days, the fitness instructor has been held in isolation. This a clear violation of the Convention Against Torture which Saudi Arabia had ratified. Several activists and NGOs have called for her immediate release.
Human rights activists have called on the Saudi authorities to release the religious leaders who have languished in jail for eight years. This follows the release this week of religious preacher Bader Al Mashari who has spent more than one year behind bars. He was arrested in July 2023 for unknown reasons. He is among those who had criticised the liberal policies on moral issues of Mohammed bin Salman which are linked to his ambitious plans including the Neom project and his 2030 vision.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
29th January 2025
