Bahrain: The first prisoner of conscience after Feb 14 protests, still imprisoned – BYSHR

Bahrain: The first prisoner of conscience after Feb 14 protests, still imprisoned
May 14th, 2011

Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) is deeply concerned about Mr. Mohammed Albuflasa (a former Bahrain Defence Force officer), 36 years old.

On 15 Feb 2011 , Bahraini security forces arrested Mr. Albuflasa, who worked in the office of the Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, after he gave a speech on the podium during protests in Manama’s Pearl Roundabout demanding political reforms.

Towards the End of February he had been presented before the military court without a lawyer and the military court charged him with the following:

1- Engage in political activity
2- Participate in the gathering
3- Incitement against the regime

Court decided to sentence Mr. Albuflasa to two months imprisonment.

He is sentence was due to end on 14 April, 2011 but the military prosecutor extended his detention for 45 days till further notice which often means to an unknown period without any new charges or clarification. At the end of February 2011, the Parliament had requested the release of Mr.Albuflasa , however, the Bahraini authorities has to date ignored these calls.

Every Friday Mr.Albuflasa is permitted to make a phone call to his family. The family has informed the BYSHR that it demands visitation rights and that he be allowed to appoint a lawyer and have access to him as soon as possible.

The BYSHR calls for immediate release of Mr. Mohammed Albuflasa as he has not been allowed the basic right to an attorney before, during and after his trial that the demands of his family, visitation rights and access to an attorney, be met. …more