Bahrain: protesters demand the release of political prisoners
The fate of 30 Bahrainis, illegally imprisoned by the Al Khalifa occupiers is stirring up emotions and causing unease among citizens. Some of them had languished behind bars for more than 20 months for taking part in peaceful demonstrations in December 2007.
They are held hostage by the ruling junta in order to exact concessions from the opposition groups which have refused to acknowledge the illegal Al Khalifa occupation of the country. The allegations presented against them, including that of killing a foreign mercenary or taking one gun from a police car have all been proved false. The foreign mercenary had died six months before he was allegedly killed by demonstrators, according to a death certificate issued by the ministry of interior. The gun that was allegedly stolen has not been retrieved. So where is it? If the victims had taken it from the police vehicle it would have been found by now. In reality, no gun had been possessed by these innocent people. Human rights activists are reversing the question and accusing the Al Khalifa occupiers of using live ammunition against unarmed demonstrators. Why do policemen carry such guns in a country where the victims have always been innocent citizens?
The people of Karzakkan, Marwazan and Jidhafs have repeatedly taken to the streets to demand the immediate and unconditional release of the political prisoners. In the village of Mhazza, pro-democracy activists on Wednesday 19th August, painted their slogans on the walls in several areas. They include portraits of the political leaders who are steadfast in their anti-regime stands. In the early hours of yesterday (Thursday 20th August) demonstrators in Sitra burnt tyres at the main Majlis Al Ta’awon Road to protest the continued detention of Bahrainis. They were pursued by three cars whose occupants, believed to be foreign mercenaries, came out and sprayed the protesters with tear and chemical gases as well as rubber bullets. The protesters reacted angrily and threw stones at the attackers. A mouse and cat game then followed in the alleys of the village.
In the town Jidafa, protesters burnt tyres near the graveyard and at the entrance to the town. They hurled stones on the attacking police. Riot police and Death Squads were in force to face the protesters. They used tear and chemical gases to disperse protesters. Some of them were heavily armed indicating the seriousness of the ongoing confrontations and the extent of violence which the foreign mercenaries are ready to deploy against the unarmed civilians. On 17th August protesters from Daih and Jidhafs went out in strength to protest the continued dictatorship and their heavy-handed treatment of prisoners and protesters. Scores of mercenaries used banned substances against them. After 20 minutes of confrontations, the attackers stormed Jihafs in pursuit of the protesters. A house in nearby Marwazan village was burnt. The inhabitants were attacked mercilessly by them before leaving in a hurry. Similar protests were held in Samheej. In this town, the people held a commemorative meeting to remember two of their martyred colleagues killed by the Al Khalifa. Sheikh Isa Al Samahiji and Ali Yousuf Al Habeeb had perished as a result of the maltreatment by the Al Khalifa occupiers. In the meeting which was held last night Mr Hassan Mushaime, the Chairman of Haq Movement delivered a speech, followed by Sheikh Abdul Jalil Al Miqdad. The poet, Hussain Al Samahiji, recited a powerful poem. A short documentary film on the lives of the two martyrs was then shown.
The Egyptian Government has advised its citizens not to live in Shia areas in Bahrain. On the Foreign Ministry website
(http://www.mfa.gov.eg/Missions/travel/guide/consulate/ar-EG/guidances2/countries/Asia/bahrain.htm)
a clear advice is given to Egyptians visiting or working in Bahrain not to live in Shia areas in the villages or the areas of their congregation in cities. It said that crimes were committed against Asian communities during disturbances due to their large numbers.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
20th August 2009
