Bahraini orator detained for speaking out, Saudis arrest Kuwaiti poet
The security forces of Bahrain’s al-Khalifa tribal rule have detained a popular native Bahraini orator, precipitating the suspicion that it is enforcing its sectarian agenda. Mahdi Sahwan, in his fifties, was detained yesterday at a police station after being summoned to attend for interrogation. The crime? Raising slogans against the American Ambassador in Bahrain, Steven Craig Bondy calling him “the Ambassador of Death”.
Last night regime’s forces attacked a peaceful demonstration in the town of Duraz. Local people took part to mark the martyrdom of a local youth who died on 25th March last year in prison. Hussain Al Ramram was 32 when he collapsed during a football game in the courtyard of the notorious Jau prison. He had several health issues that were ignored by the prison officials. The inmates erupted in a massive show of anger at the unnecessary death of a young man. Last night’s protest was peaceful but was, nonetheless, violently repressed. Another protest was held at neighbouring Markh town to mark the martyrdom of another young man. On 24th March 2017 Mustafa Hamdan was shot dead by police using live ammunition outside the house of religious and political leader, Sheikh Isa Qassim.
The predicaments of “former” political prisoners who have recently been released are mounting. In addition to their financial and social burdens they face the regime’s policy of denying them work opportunities, leaving them in a demoralised state. Many of them are now participating in daily protests outside government departments as well as the regime’s “parliament”. The ministry of housing is ignoring their requests for homes, so they are forced to live with their parents in what are often overcrowded home. The khalifis are, once again, sowing the seeds for future uprisings; the cycle of new political tension has thus started.
Human Rights activist, Maryam Alkhawaja, a Bahraini refugee in Denmark said that her father, Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, had “informed our family that his prison video calls will be suspended indefinitely and replaced with family visits.” He stressed that these calls are crucial—his daughters live outside Bahrain, and his ill mother is unable to visit him. He warned the administration that if this change is enforced, he will be forced to take action. In the past Mr Alkhawaja staged hunger strikes to press his demands. She added: My father should not be imprisoned in the first place, and depriving him of his most meaningful way to communicate with us will profoundly affect our family. I will stand by him and support him in any decision he makes – however I hope enough pressure can be raised to avoid putting him at risk.”
Several protests and demonstrations in Bahrain have expressed support for the people of Gaza and Yemen. Slogans and banners were raised expressing solidarity with those who are on the receiving end of Israeli attacks using American weapons. Several towns, including Duraz and Markh, witnessed shows of support.
The family of political detainee, Munir Mushaima has asked the authorities to provide medical care for him as his health continues to deteriorate. He has been in detention for six weeks for taking part in peaceful protests organised by the fathers of martyrs. Few months ago, he sustained serious injuries in an accident for which he had an operation. He has been asking the prison officials to be taken to a hospital or a clinic but to no avail. His next court hearing will be on 3rd September.
Lawyers for a British business analyst detained for months in Saudi Arabia said he was due to receive a verdict in April under what they understand are terrorism laws for a deleted social media post and perceived association with a Saudi dissident. Ahmed al-Doush, 41, was contracted to Bank of America as a consultant at the time of his arrest at Riyadh’s international airport on August 31 last year. He was set to return to the UK with his wife and children after a holiday visiting extended family who are expatriates living in the kingdom. The Manchester resident’s detention, which his legal team argues is unjustified, comes despite the kingdom seeking to woo tourists as part of an ambitious economic transformation plan. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: “We are supporting a British man who is detained in Saudi Arabia and are in contact with his family and the local authorities.”
The Saudi authorities yesterday released doctor and scholar Abdul Mohsen al-Ahmad, months after his sentence expired last year. He served a seven-year sentence in the notorious Al-Ha’ir prison in Riyadh, where many prisoners of conscience remain detained. The Saudi authorities did not present evidence for the detention of the highly qualified psychologist when he was arrested in September 2017.
It has been confirmed that the Saudi authorities had detained a Kuwaiti poet. On 11th March, Mohammed bin De’airem was taken into custody for a poem that the authorities had not approved. He has been resident in Saudi Arabia and was a regular guest at Bedaya TV. In 2023 he was detained for a few months. Upon his release a travel ban was imposed on him.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
26th March 2025
