Concerns for Bahraini leader’s life and the Saudi-UAE Yemen dispute
Tension is rising in many parts of the country as the health condition of Mr Hassan Mushaima, the most senior popular leader continues to deteriorate. After 15 years of incarceration in the most horrific conditions, the 78 years political leader is sick and frail. His solitary confinement has contributed to his rapid ailment. People around the country have been holding daily protests to demand his immediate and unconditional release. He has been behind bars since April 2011. Before that he had spent almost eight years in jail.
There are now widespread public protests and civil actions in several parts of the country. Many people returned to wall graffiti to highlight their grievances. In Karzakkan town, the youths painted slogans on the walls about Hassan Mushaima especially after an audio message was smuggled out of prison in which he was breathing with difficulty. He sounded weak and drawn out, as he thanked the people for their concerns. In Abu Quwwa town, the youth burnt tyres on the road to express their anger.
The solidarity with Mr Mushaima has been widespread. People in various towns and villages have either taken part in demonstrations or written graffiti slogans. On their part, political prisoners have refused to take their meals declaring their solidarity with Mr Mushaima. This happened at Bloc 12 of Jau prison. Many have written messages to this effect.
Yesterday, Tuesday 30th December, a Bahraini youth was detained in a raid on his house at Buri town. Hassan Kadem Al Baqqal, 19, was led away to an unknown destination. His whereabout or his charges are not known. On Monday 29th December regime’s court sentenced two young Bahrainis to six months in jail. Mohammed Marhoon and Hassan Marhoon are from Ma’amir town. They had been summoned in November and were detained until their sentence was announced.
Hajji Abdulla Alawi, from Sitra was detained on Wednesday 24th December in a raid on his house. He had been given a ten-year sentence for his political activism. He has several ailments including diabetes and blood pressure. The house was raided by plain-clothed agents who caused mayhem in the house.
Martyr Abdulla Hassan, who died in November in when a coastguard vessel ramped his boat killing him instantly has been remembered at a public meeting in his town of Shahrakkan. Many people attended the meeting with their hearts full of pain for the martyr.
After 13 years on the run, native Bahraini youth, Hussain Al Qadami has been arrested. He has been pursued by the khalifi torturers since 2013 and has ten-year jail sentence on his head. There are serious fears for his personal safety as the regime has always used revenge as a policy to punish those who evade arrest.
Calls have been made for the release of under-aged Bahraini prisoner. Hassan Ali Matar, 15 has been in detention since 13th November. He was summoned by the khalifi torturers to appear at Roundabout 17 police station where he was detained. He was subsequently sent to the notorious Dry Dock prison. He suffers several ailments resulting from a serious accident that caused several fractures in his bones.
There has been a public outcry after the khalifi regime announced several financial measures causing immediate hikes in the prices of essential commodities. Seven political societies called for freezing these increases and seeking different avenues to face the budget deficit. The regime has shown no sensitivity towards the suffering of the people who are facing price increases on all sides while salaries remain frozen.
The Gulf region is, once again, facing a serious security threat arising from the military conflict between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on influence in Yemen. The Saudis attacked the separatist forces of the Southern Transitional Council, which is backed by the Emirates. The conflict has strained ties between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, which had been backing competing sides in Yemen’s decade-long war against the Yemen government in Sanaa. Both the Saudi and UAE governments must respect the sovereignty of Yemen and its people and stop their illegal attacks on the country.
On 23rd December Bahraini political prisoners issued a statement condemning the execution of three natives by the Saudi regime. Sayed Hussain Al Qallaf, Mohammed Ahmed Al Ahmed and Hassan Saleh Al Salim were killed last week on false charges. The Bahraini prisoners condemned this crime urging the world to exert pressure on the Saudis to stop this bloodshed. Another citizen was also beheaded. Shaher bin Hmood bin Shaher Jawhar was accused of drug trafficking especially Amphetamine drugs. He was subjected to a rapid trial which was short of the international standards of justice, convicted and put to death. No independent investigation was allowed before the man was beheaded.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
31st December 2025