IMF: Bahrain is most-indebted, Saudis execute three citizens
On 19th December The International Monetary Fund (IMF) described Bahrain as the “most-indebted nation” in the Gulf. According to a top IMF official: “Bahrain should move faster to diversify government revenue and cut spending in order to bolster its finances.” Bahrain needs to “accelerate the program of fiscal reforms” while keeping fiscal policy “tight” in order to signal to investors it is serious about tackling government borrowing, Jihad Azour, IMF Middle East and Central Asia director, said in an interview. S&P Global Ratings downgraded Bahrain further into junk bond status last month, citing its rising debt levels. The IMF says Bahrain’s debt-to-GDP ratio could rise to 139% in 2028.
A US-based rights group submitted a dossier to Donald Trump’s administration on Thursday 18th December recommending sanctions against Bahrain’s interior minister for his alleged role in torture in prisons under his control. Human Rights First (HRF), in a statement shared with Middle East Eye, accused Bahrain’s Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa of overseeing torture and other cruel treatment against political prisoners since 2011, despite Bahrain being a signatory to the UN Convention Against Torture. “Prisoners have been denied essential healthcare, sometimes leading to their deaths, and faced beatings to elicit confessions,” the group said. The US State Department has repeatedly acknowledged such abuses. Leaders like Sheikh Rashid, who has been head of the interior ministry since 2004, have not taken meaningful measures to end the abuses happening on their watch or hold perpetrators accountable,” read the HRF statement.
Concerns are rising for the well-being of the most senior Bahraini political prisoner. Hassan Mushaima, 78 has fallen ill with severe back pain that deprived him of any movement. In the past week, he could not function without physical help from at least two people each time he needed the bathroom. He is receiving little medical care, mainly pain killers that do not treat the slipped disc. Calls have been made by human rights NGOs for his treatment and immediate release.
Senior political figures languishing behind bars have signed a statement calling for Mr Mushaima’s release. The statement was signed by Sheikh Abdul Jalil Al Miqdad, Sheikh Ali Salman, Abdul Wahab Hussain, Sheikh Mohammed Habib Al Miqdad, Sheikh Abdul Hadi Al Mokhowdar, Mr Mohammed Ali, Abdul Hadi Al Khawaja Sheikh Saeed Al Noori and Sheikh Mirza Al Mahroos. Another statement calling for his release was signed by the political prisoners at the notorious Jau prison.
On another front, arbitrary detentions have continued unabated. Sadiq Hassan Marhoon (from Malkiya town) was detained on 20th December after a summons by the khalifi torturers. On Monday 22nd December, two teenagers were tried by a khalifi court. Ahmed Ali Hbail and Ahmed Fadel Hbail, both 19 from Sitra had been detained on 29th September when their car was stopped. They were subjected to horrific treatment including beating and kicking. The trial was adjourned until 10th February.
Scores of political prisoners at the Jau prison have complained of serious harassment and denial of basic rights. More than 100 inmates at Bloc 11 of the prison said they were detained at three wings. About 35 prisoners in each wing. But the officers have imposed severe daily regime. The outing time has been reduced from four to two hours and their religious rights have also been denied. They have also been banned from observing their religious congregations, daily prayers or marking their religious events.
In a voice message on Monday 22nd December, an un-named political prisoner spoke of the dire situation in the building (Bloc 4 at Jau prison). He said the prison lacks the basic facilities. He said that the young prisoners have decided to stage hunger strike by refusing the daily meals until their demands for proper sanitation and treatment have been fulfilled.
On Tuesday 23rd December the Saudi authorities executed three citizens for alleged involvement in “terrorist acts”, their Interior Ministry said. To justify the extra-judicial killings, the Saudi regime presented unfounded claims that they had committed arson, prepared explosives, and possessed arms and ammunition. They were arrested and referred to court, which sentenced them to death. The ruling was upheld by the Supreme Council after an appeal. The men were executed in the Eastern region after a royal order was issued to carry out their sentence, the ministry said. The Saudi authorities have now executed 347 individuals this year, equalling last year’s record number. In the absence of transparency, and with executions sometimes carried out in secret, the real figures may be even higher. The bodies of the three martyrs: Hussain Haidar Alawi Al Qallaf, Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Ahmed and Hassan Saleh Mahdi Salim, all Saudi citizens have not been handed to their families.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
24th December 2025