Human Rights Violations Secure ‘Guilty’ Verdicts in Bahrain Courts: The “Al Ashtar Brigades” Case

United Nations body recognizes violations of international law by Bahrain

During its 94th session, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention issued its opinion regarding four Bahraini individuals who were arbitrarily detained in an unfair mass trial of eight defendants. The four young men, Sayed Mujtaba Saeed Alawi Ali AlKhabbaz (a minor at the time of his arrest), Hasan Hameed AbdulNabi Ali Naser Meshaimea, Sayed Ahmed Hadi Alawi Amin Hasan, and Sayed Mahmood Ali Moosa Jaafar AlAlawi, were accused of belonging and taking part in activities of the terrorist organization, the AlAshtar Brigades. This organization was accused of targeting American franchises, mainly by planting explosive canisters. After they were arrested and tortured into coerced confessions, they were sentenced to prison where they currently remain. Due to the violations endured by these four individuals, the WGAD determined they were arbitrarily detained under different categories and in violation of international law. It also issued recommendations to the government that included the immediate release of all four individuals.

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CERD Review Finds Bahrain Comes Up Short on Key Human Rights Issues

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Fadhel Abbas Mohamed

Fadhel Abbas Mohamed is a 22-year-old Bahraini citizen who was warrantlessly arrested by Bahraini authorities and is currently serving his time in Dry Dock Prison. His trial was held on 15 November 2022 with the verdict still pending.

On 22 November 2021 at 6 a.m., Fadhel’s house was raided by officers who climbed the outer walls and opened the garage door, without presenting any arrest warrant. They searched the living room and confiscated his phone. They took Fadhel to his old house in Nuwaidrat where they thoroughly searched the place, destroyed its contents, and scattered the luggage on the floor. His mother also heard that they took him to his uncle’s cafe in Nuwaidrat, but she doesn’t know what they did to him. On Tuesday 23 November 2021, Fadhel called his family informing them that he is in the Central Investigation Directorate (CID). The CID also informed the family that they will be coming to the house. Upon arrival, the CID, officers in civilian clothes, confiscated the family’s only car. Officers scattered all around the house and informed Fadhel’s mother that he was in the car when she asked. However, their boss rejected her request to see him and told her Fadhel was not in the car. They also confiscated his wallet. The next day, officers asked for clothes for Fadhel, but only took one suit and wouldn’t accept to take him any hygiene products.

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