Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja had visibly been brutally beaten as he Appeared in al Khalifa Kangaroo Court

Editors note: at todays trial, May 12 2011 – Breaking News – “Unlike others, AbdulHadi Alkhawaja was not allowed to meet his family after trial today, probably to prevent revealing more torture marks.” ….more to follow.

Story 9 May 2011
Bahrain: Serious concerns about torture and fair trial of former Front Line Protection Coordinator Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja

Front Line expressed its shock and horror at the physical condition of its former Protection Coordinator Mr Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja when he was presented for trial in Manama on Sunday 8 May 2011. Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja had visibly been brutally beaten and had reportedly been taken to the military hospital to undergo a 4-hour operation during his period in incommunicado detention. Witnesses to the opening of the trial process reported he bore the evidence of having endured severe torture. He was reportedly the victim of 4 fractures to the side of his face and continues to have problems eating.

Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja was one of 21 individuals presented for trial charged with a variety of charges including ”organising and managing a terrorist organisation” and “attempt to overthrow the government by force and in liaison with a terrorist organisation working for a foreign country.”

Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja is a former President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights and was until February 2011 employed by Front Line as its Middle East and North Africa Protection Coordinator. He stepped down from this international role with Front Line to engage with the peaceful protests in Bahrain. Front Line is profoundly shocked by the violent treatment Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja has received, and calls for an urgent independent inquiry into his treatment and for those responsible to be brought to justice. More than 120 human rights defenders across the Middle East and North Africa have called for Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja’s release. …more