Bahrain: Arbitrary detentions mount as US Ambassador’s role exposed

The security situation in Bahrain is escalating rapidly as more news of detentions, torture and abuse are spread among the people. In the past 24 hours at least 11 more people were arrested as the Al Khlaifa rulers continued their war against native Bahrainis.

 In parallel with these arrests, Death Squads have kidnapped at least seven young men to secret places, beaten them viciously until they reach the brink of death before releasing them in different locations. The escalating crimes of these heavily-armed militias which are operated by the royal court have added new dimensions to the official violence against Bahrainis. It is an open torture intended to break the will of the youth to participate in the pro-democracy activities. Four of these victims were snatched from Arad town, blindfolded, bludgeoned on all parts of their bodies and then dumped near the Sitra Bridge. One of them was found unconscious near the town of Galali. This is part of the genocide being conducted by the ruler against the native Baharna. These cases are now being presented as evidence against him and his lieutenants of death at the relevant international bodies.

Three more Bahrainis were treated with brutality unheard of in recent years. Hussain Ali Dawood, Hakim Ali Hussain and Ahmad Ali Hussain were snatched two days ago from their homes in Dair Town. They were beaten mercilessly at first. Then pliers were used to pull out their hair. Hussain Ali Dawood suffered more torture. One of his teeth was pulled with the pliers causing most painful pain imaginable. After this torture at the hands of the Death Squads, the three were dumped unconscious in Umm Al Hassam which is several kilometers away.

Yesterday the Bahrain News Agency that seven young men were arrested for taking part in pro-democracy protests. The official mouthpiece of the regime of occupation claimed that these Bahrainis were involved in burning tyres on the roads and disrupting the traffic. Among them is Ibrahim Badi’ from Karzakkan.

Last night ad human rights activist was arrested at the airport upon his return from a holiday in the Iranian City of Mashhad with his daughters and old mother. Jaffar Al Hasabi, 40, is not known for any active political role inside the country. He is a political refugee in UK where he had resided for the past 15 years. His arrest came few days after the American Ambassador gave assurances that opposition to the regime should be conducted inside the country “not in Washington or London”. The Ambassador now stands accused of complicity in the arrest and ill-treatment of Bahrainis.

In the early hours of this morning, three prominent figures were arrested during violent raids on their houses. Dr Mohammad Saeed Al Sahlawi, 39, a dentist, was dragged from his house. He was arrested several times in the past; the latest was in 2006 when he was sentenced to six months behind bars for “intending” to distribute a booklet calling for the boycott of the elections to the powerless shura council. His case was taken several human rights bodies as a prisoner of conscience, jailed for his opinion and peaceful activities.

Two more religious scholars were also seized from their homes in this morning’s raid. Sheikh Abdul Hadi Al Mokhowdar and Sheikh Mirza Al Mahroos were arrested and taken to secret torture chambers. In line with other Bahraini detainees in recent days, they were denied legal access, arrested without judicial warrant and their relatives have not been informed of their whereabouts.

On Friday night a peaceful demonstration against the detention of Dr Abdul Jalil Al Singace, the first of the recent prominent detainees whose whereabouts are unknown, was viciously attacked. The protest was held in Bilad Al Qadim, and was attacked when it reached the Al Ghadir Bakery.

These crimes are now being committed daily, following what amounted to a green light given by the American Ambassador in Manama to criminalise those who oppose the Al Khalifa hereditary dictatorship inside or expose its crimes in exile. There is a deep sense of anger against the unconditional backing by the Ambassador Adam Ereli.

Bahrain Freedom Movement
17 August 2010