Bahrain’s new wave of mass arrests, Saudi executions intensify in 2025

Yesterday, Tuesday 13th January, regime’s court in Bahrain sentenced two young men to lengthy prison terms. Murtada Faisal Al Nashaba was given a seven-year jail term, and Hussain Hadi Al Nashaba was sentenced to five years. The two were detained in Al Na’aim district of Manama in June and July last year while participating in the Muharram procession. On Thursday 8th January regime’s courts sentenced Ibrahim Sharif to six months and a fine of 200 Bahraini Dinar (about $600). He was charged with spreading false news and undermining some Arab regimes. He was detained upon his return from Lebanon on 12th November where he urged the people to exert pressures on their governments to support the Palestinian people.

Regime’s security officers detained Hussain Ass’ad from Bani Jamra town. He had been summoned to appear at the prosecutor’s officer where he was remanded in custody for seven days pending investigation. Another youth, Ali Abd Ali Al Baqqali was arrested outside the house of Mr Hassan Mushaima. He was also remanded in custody for a week. Another young man, Mohammed Ali Mansoor Zain Al Din from Duraz town was detained at the prosecutor’s office and remanded in custody for seven days. Young native, Jassim Ma’tooq Baddao from Duraz was also arrested on Monday outside Hassan Mushaima’s house. On Saturday 11th January Nasser Taha, from Sanabis town was arrested. He was summoned to appear at Al Khamis police station where he was detained. Three others were detained on Friday 9th January outside Mr Mushaima’s house. Hassan NasraAllah (from Sitra), Hussain Salah and Mohammed Abdulla from El Ekr town were remanded in custody for one week for investigation. On Saturday 11th January regime’s forces detained a young native from the town of Sanabis. Ilyas Mahmood was summoned by the torture officers at Al Khamis police station, interrogated and charged with participating in a gathering outside the house of the detained leader, Hassan Mushaima. Also, Sayed Hadi Mahmood, from Al Markh town was detained on Tuesday 6th January after being summoned for interrogation.

Regime’s officers have summoned several members of the Bahraini Society Against Normalisation with Israel. A prominent member of the group, Abdulla Bu Hassan was detained on the Bahrain-Saudi causeway as he was leaving the country. He is accused of “spreading hatred of the government”.

On Wednesday 7th January the people of Abu Saiba town took part in a protest calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Mr Hassan Mushaima. He has been held in solitary confinement for 15 years and is suffering from various ailments. They also called for the release of all political prisoners.

On 11th January regime’s security forces arrested at least 18 people for insisting on getting jobs after years of searching for work. Most of them are from Sitra. They include: Reda Yasser, Ali Ashoor, Nasser Nubool, Ali Nasr Al Basri, Jassim Mohammed Al Jordabi, Hussain Fuad Al Henni, Ali Saeed and Yasser Hassan. Other detainees include Hassan Abdul Hadi, from Ma’amir town, Hussain Hani and Ali Na’eem from Sanabis, Hassan Qal’awi, from Karranah town, Mahmood Al Alwani and Nazar Al Shaikh from Musalla. Ali Hassan El Ekri and Muntadar Al Khair from Al Daih.

The prominent veteran activist, Hajji Majeed Mohsain, also known as “Hajji Sumood” was arrested last Wednesday after being summoned by the torture officers. He was released on Thursday after being charged with participating in a memorial gathering in October, for Martyr Abdullah Hassan.

The family of a young Bahraini citizen is extremely worried for his well-being. Mujahid Taqi Al Mahoozi went to Saudi Arabia last Thursday but has not returned or called. His brother went to look for him and contacted police stations and hospitals without success. The family has urged the authorities to help find him.

Yesterday, Human Rights Watch published a report titled: “Saudi Arabia: Record Number of Executions in 2025” adding: “Saudi authorities executed at least 356 people in 2025, setting a new record in the country for the highest number of executions in one year since monitoring began”. This is the second year in a row that Saudi authorities have set a new execution record, with 345 registered in 2024. “The close of 2025 crystallized a horrifying trend in Saudi Arabia with a record surge in executions for the second consecutive year,” said Joey Shea, Saudi Arabia researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Governments should immediately press Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s authorities to halt all executions.”

The Saudi authorities executed a Pakistani citizen allegedly for drug smuggling. Hafez Mohammed Furqan was convicted of the crime, interrogated and charged. The Specialised Criminal Court (SCC) found him guilty and sentence him to death. He was killed on Monday 12th January.

14th January 2026