Bahrain: Kidnappings, arrests and raids as AI calls for investigation of torture
The mouse and cat game between members of Death Squad and Bahrainis has continued. Although the prisons have now become home to more than 400 innocent citizens, more are being pursued relentlessly.
In the past few days many houses in Duraz, Saar, Sanabis and other places were raided in pursuit of young men who may have expressed anti-regime views and sentiments. With these raids, more people are illegally detained. The town of Duraz was particularly targeted following a peaceful protest few days ago when the youth went to the main road on the day of the last trial session on Thursday 11th September. Among those detained is Hassan Ali Baddou, 22 a retarded young man whose whereabouts are unknown since he was snatched yesterday morning by plain-clothed members of the Death Squads. He had been repeatedly detained and beaten to the extent that he suffered injuries in his stomach that needed extensive care. Another young man from Duraz was also arrested yesterday. Rami Al Aryash, 19, was snatched from his home and taken to a secret location for interrogation under torture. The town of Samaheej was also raided yesterday in search for a 14-years old boy who was being sought for his anti-regime activity. Members of the Death Squads forcefully entered the house while the occupants were asleep including women and children. A state of terror ensued amid their cries and whalings.
But what is now worrying most is the persistent pattern of kidnapping and beating of anyone who happens to be in the way of a passing car belonging to the Death Squads. They would drive slowly behind the boy with the back door open, and when they close on him he is pulled inside and taken away.
On 14th November three boys from Sitra were kidnapped. They were severely beaten around their bodies until they reached the verge of death. They were repeatedly asked if they had written slogans on the walls or if they knew them. The boys were then dumped in a remote area while the Death Squads headed back to their offices.
This has led to fierce reaction from Bahrainis who pour into the streets to express their anger and outrage. Yesterday the towns of Sitra, Bani Jamra, Duraz, Al Dair, Saar, Karrana and Samaheej saw renewed anti-regime activities. Smoke was seen bellowing in the skyline in those areas as running battles with the foreign-staffed riot police and Death Squads spread. The youth call this “the Bahrani anger against the Al Khalifa occupiers”. This consistent activity is probably driving the security forces and the ruling family into a situation of despair. They had thought that the unprecedented level of state violence against the unarmed civilians and the collective punishment would gradually mute the public response, but the opposite is now happening.
Meanwhile, the four detainees from Sanabis who were falsely accused of planning an explosion have been reportedly tortured severely in order to force them to sign fabricated confessions. Their families are extremely concerned for their safety as the Al Khalifa war against Bahrainis continued.
Yesterday, three brothers were brought to the court for allegedly burning tyres near the town of Sanabis. One of them is a university student. Their mother had pleaded with the heartless Al Khalifa to release her children but to no avail. She said that her heart is broken every minute she sees the house empty of her loved ones.
On the other hand Amnesty International has issued an Urgent Action Appeal in which it urged its members to write to the Bahraini authorities to investigate all cases of torture. The lawyers representing the 25 members of the opposition leaders have asked the Al Khalifa-appointed judge, Ibrahim Al Zayed, to order an immediate investigation into the torture used against them. They said they would not start their defence until the victims are re-investigated under the court supervision and the presence of the lawyers. So far all investigations were carried out while the defendants were being tortured in underground cellars run by Khalifa bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, the head of the National Security Agency (NSA). He was the Ambassador to Uk before taking his torture role.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
16th November 2010
