Bahraini pro-democracy activists arrested, Saudi executions continue
The torturers of the khalifi regime in Bahrain have detained several people as their crackdown on pro-democracy activists continues. Mohammed Ahmed Mansoor, 15, from Al Ekr town was summoned on Monday 18th August and detained for seven days. Khalil Ibrahim Abdul Nabi Sarhan, 17, was also arrested in the same way. Mohammed Mirza Abu Hassan, from Karzakkan town was detained on Thursday 13th August. He was summoned by the torturers at Hamad town police station and detained to serve a 50-day prison sentence and pay 500 Bahraini Dinar (about $1300 fine.)
On Monday 18th August, the regime’s Appeal Court confirmed the sentence of one year imposed on five political prisoners from Samaheej town. The defendants were sentenced on 30th June for taking part in a peaceful political activity. Abdullah Yousuf Al Mo’athen, Hassan Masood, Ali Yousuf Al Habib, Ahmed Abdul Latif and Ali Reda Mashakhil complained of severe torture inflicted on them to force them to sign false confessions but the court did not take that into consideration. The torturers remain at large.
Yesterday, Tuesday 19th August a regime’s court sentenced four political detainees to three months jail term. They are: Mohammed Hussain, Sayed Hashim Ra’id, Mohammed Aqeel (all from Bilad Al Qadeem) and Yahya Abdul Hassan from AlMusalla town. They were detained last May and have thus completed more than their prison sentence. Instead, a new case was fabricated against them to ensure their continued imprisonment.
Political prisoner, Hussain Ali Muhanna started hunger strike on 15th August in support of the people of Gaza and rejection of the khalifi diplomatic normalisation with the occupiers. Several others have launched similar strikes to show solidarity with those who are being starved in Gaza by the Israeli occupiers.
On Monday 18th August, under-aged native Bahraini boy was snatched from a khalifi court and taken to jail. Jawad Hussain from Sanabis town was given a six-month prison sentence for taking part in a peaceful protest calling for democratic rights.
Concern is rising that infectious diseases are spreading in the khalifi jails. In the past few days, reports circulated of two suspected cases of Tuberculosis in Blocs 13 and 14. There is serious fear that other prisoners in those cells may be infected. Few years ago, several TB cases were found inside jail. A woman was taken to isolation instead of transferring to hospital for immediate treatment.
Anger has spread against the khalifi tribal regime for ignoring the country’s Independence Day on 14th August. While the opposition marked the occasion with articles, tweets, statements, protests and seminars, the regime completely ignored the occasion. One of the explanations is that the khalifi rulers are fearful of the people’s power that had enabled the independence of the country after years of anti-colonial activism by the students, trade-unionists and political groups and figures. The anti-colonial sentiments had been one of the features of the national movement for more than a century.
Yesterday, Tuesday 19th August regime’s forces stormed Bloc 17 at the Dry Dock Prison, which is allocated to the juveniles. There is no information yet of casualties, but an Ambulance was seen entering the jail alongside a military vehicle full of heavily-armed soldiers who appeared trigger-happy.
The health of a political prisoner has become a serious cause for concern. Yasser Ahmed Abdullah is suffering from various illnesses including irregular Thyroid gland, serious weight loss, hair loss, fast heart beats, and trembling of the body. He is given one tablet a day without being seen by a specialist doctor. Tests were carried out three weeks ago, but he was not informed of the results. Human rights activists have presented several demands to the khalifi dictators to provide him with adequate medical care and free him from jail on humanitarian grounds.
The Saudi authorities have continued their beheading spree despite condemnations by international human rights bodies. Yesterday, Tuesday 20th August, the Saudi authorities executed a Somali citizen for allegedly smuggling drugs into the kingdom. Abdul Rahman Ali Mohammed Mohammed was accused of smuggling hashish, convicted by the notorious Specialised Criminal Court (SCC) and killed in the Southwestern city of Najran. On Saturday 16th August an Afghan man was beheaded. Ghulam Rasool Faqir was accused of smuggling heroin into the Kingdom, convicted and executed. On Sunday 17th August an Egyptian man was beheaded in the city of Tabuk, Northwestern Arabia. Hazim Sabri Abdul Fattah Ali was accused of smuggling Tramadol and Bromazolam drug tablets. He was tried by the SCC, convicted and executed.
The next hearing in the retrial of Manahel al-Otaibi — a fitness instructor sentenced by Saudi authorities to 11 years for her peaceful activism — is taking place tomorrow, Thursday 21 August, at the SCC in Riyadh. Since her last trial hearing on 22 July she has been denied any family contact. This raises further concerns for her wellbeing, amid a deterioration in her health. Al-Otaibi has faced repeated abuse in prison since her arrest.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
20th August 2025