Hussain AlMahfoodh

In the name of God

Official Statement of Sh. AlMahfoodh Recent Condition

We received confirmations that Sh. Mohamed Ali AlMahfoodh is sent to hospital as his health has dramatically deteriorated. Thus, there are serious concerns about his safety especially after six days passed since the recent attacks as reported from Jaw Center of Detention. Since six days, there has been no news or calls from Sh. AlMahfoodh and the rest of the detained in the Ward of Hope/Ward One. All what is confirmed is that the ward is on hunger strike since six days.

The last contact with Sh. AlMahfoodh was on Sunday December 1st 2013. In his short abrupt call, his voice was weak and thin, and the call was under strict supervision of the ward guards. He personally confirmed that the rumors about the incident are real and the ward is put under punishment. Consequently, the call increased the concerns among the family of Sh. AlMahfoodh.

As for the recent rumors that claim Sh. AlMahfoodh case to be comforted or settled, there is no certain reliable proof or trace, and the source is anonymous. There is no confirmation of any relief in the Ward’s condition especially after the new impunity restrictions enforced on the detained in the ward.

We, the family of Sh. Mohamed Ali AlMahfoodh send an urgent call to the concerned international community and the Human Rights organizations to investigate and follow the case if Sh. AlMahfoodh. We call to arrange immediately to meet him in person to check his safety and health status. We also demand the immediate unconditional release of Sh. AlMahfoodh and all the other prisoners of conscience.

The family of Sh. Mohamed Ali AlMahfoodh
Bahrain
December 3rd 2013

Bahrain court rejects jailed activist’s plea for release
by Rania El Gamal – The Star Online – 3 December, 2013

DUBAI (Reuters) – A Bahraini court has rejected a request by a prominent human rights advocate that he be freed after serving three-quarters of a prison term for taking part in unlicensed protests.

Bahrain, where the Sunni Muslim Al Khalifa family rules over a majority Shi’ite population, has been in political turmoil since Shi’ite-led pro-democracy protests erupted in 2011.

The island kingdom is a base for the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, which patrols oil shipping lanes in the Gulf region.

Lawyer Mohammed al-Jishi said rights campaigner Nabeel Rajab, sentenced last year to two years in prison for cases related to organising and participating in protests, had a legal right to early release after spending a year and half in jail.

“But the court rejected the request to release him without giving any reasons,” Jishi told Reuters by telephone from Manama after Monday’s ruling, which several foreign diplomats attended.

The government’s Information Affairs Authority confirmed the court had deemed Rajab “not eligible” for early release.

“Rajab has continuously called upon the citizens to defy the laws of public gathering which resulted in violence,” the IAA said in a statement emailed to Reuters on Tuesday.

It said many security personnel had been wounded by people throwing petrol bombs and steel rods as a result.

“Rajab’s speeches included encouraging youths to confront the authorities,” the IAA said. “Incitement of any sort is a violation of the constitution and laws of Bahrain that are in line with international standards.”

Rajab shot to prominence in 2011 when he campaigned against a crackdown on protesters. With 217,000 followers on Twitter he is one of the Arab world’s best-known online activists.

A hero to protesters but a villain to those Bahrainis who fear they will bring Shi’ite Islamists to power, Rajab is the founder of the non-governmental Bahrain Centre for Human Rights.

An organiser of many protests against the powers of the Al Khalifa dynasty, he was sentenced to three months in jail last year in a separate case over a tweet criticising the veteran prime minister, the king’s uncle. The ruling was overturned, but only after Rajab had already served his sentence.

London-based Amnesty International and U.S.-based Human Rights First have called for him to be freed.

“It’s depressing but no big surprise that Nabeel Rajab was not released,” said Brian Dooley, of Human Rights First.

“Recent weeks have seen an increased targeting of human rights defenders by the authorities and freeing him would have gone against that trend.”

Bahrain, which effectively bans protests and gatherings not licensed by the government, has been caught up in a struggle for influence between Shi’ite Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia.

Bahrain quelled the 2011 revolt with help from Saudi Arabia and other Sunni-ruled Gulf states, but protests and small-scale clashes persist and bomb attacks have multiplied since mid-2012.

Talks between the government and opposition have failed to end the political standoff. Many Shi’ites complain of political and economic discrimination, a charge the authorities deny. …source

Al Wefaq writes to the Red Cross on the situation of Sheikh Al Mahfoodh and other prisoners
3 December, 2013 – SHAFAQNA

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) – Al Wefaq National Islamic Society demands the authorities to immediately reveal information on the situation of the detainees in Juw prison. The authorities must also reveal information on the condition of Secretary General of Amal Islamic Action Society Sheikh Muhammad Ali Al Mahfoodh, who is detained for reasons related to freedom of opinion.

The Authority is fully responsible for the safety of the prisoners.

Al Wefaq notes that the families of the prisoners are extremely worried because they had not being receiving any phone calls from them lately. In fact, some families have not received any information concerning the conditions of their jailed relatives since last Wednesday.

Al Wefaq has wrote to the Red Cross about the situation of the prisoners in building no.1 in Juw prison. The violations perpetrated against the prisoners in Juw prison reveal the reality behind the Authority’s claims on its implementation of the BICI recommendations. International parties and organisations have also issued reports urging for the implementation of the BICI recommendations which have not yet been implemented.

…source

Ali Al Taweel was recently beaten unconscious by prison guards as he resisted an attempt to take him from the General Population in what was preparation for his impending execution. A number of fellow Political Prisoners, intervened in an attempt to stop the brutal beating, many were also beaten to the point of requiring hospital. Others were put in Solitary Confinement where they are being held without proper medical attention and are being deprived of water. Others who have beaten and are in need of medical care are being held in solitary confinement. Phlipn.

Ali Al Taweel’s Death Sentence and Torture
15 November, 2013 – Bahrain – Anonymous Contribution

Ali Al Taweel is an extreme example of the illegal, violent nature of the Bahrain legal system. It also shows that torture is widespread in the prisons to degrade detainees and extract confessions.

Ali is an uneducated young man, unable to read or write and the son of a fisherman. He was picked up because he was in Sitra when the demos were going on. He was tortured for weeks including being strung up like a chicken and sexually abused. There has not been an execution of a Bahraini since 1990s, the last execution was of a Bangladeshi in 2010.

Ali was picked up by the police on April 19th 2011 and tortured for 13 hours at Isa Town Police Station. He was accused of running over a policeman. They wanted him to implicate Sheikh Moqdad, one of the eleven leaders sentenced to life.

He was forced to sign an unseen confession, which he couldn’t have read anyway and the trial was a farce with no real defence.

There were no witnesses to the accident and disagreement where it even took place. The prosecution said Sitra but the BICI report said GCC Roundabout, in Manama. ( Para 1030.)

The main prosecution witness was his torturer, who’s already in court for torturing the doctors. BICI Report mentioned its concern about the injustice of this case.

His lawyer, for some reason did not take his case on to the Court of Cessation, after being tried in a Military Court.

He was sentenced to death on 29th September 2011.

He is kept in solitary for 23 hours a day and only released once a fortnight for a family visit. This is affecting his sanity and he has had no treatment for the torture he sustained.

There was an appeal on February 10th 2013, which he lost. Lawyers are taking his case to the Court of Cessation where he might get his sentence reduced to life imprisonment. But he is innocent and needs to be helped to restart his life.

Ali was 17 when captured and should not have been placed in an adult prison like many Bahraini children. He must be released.

Bahrain is really dangerous now with young men being picked up at night and four ladies were detained, for stopping the police abducting a relative.

If this young man is executed it will lead to demonstrations and more people will be killed and detained. Please contact your Congressman/woman and ask them to help Ali.

Ref: Biased Court. 23rd August 2012. BCHR

Ref: Bahrain – Court upholds death sentence based on coerced confession. 10th Feb 2013. BCHR

…source