Call for independent investigation into apparent Death Squad, Torture and Murder in Bahrain

Bahraini Shi’ites urge probe of “torture” death
Reuters – by Firouz Sedarat -14 January, 2012

DUBAI, Jan 14 (Reuters) – Bahrain’s main Shi’ite opposition group on Saturday called for an international investigation into the death of a young protester after a rights group said his body showed signs of torture.

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights quoted an uncle of the 24-year-old victim as saying his body carried “clear marks of torture”, however the Interior Ministry said an autopsy revealed the youth, who went missing on Wednesday, had drowned.

Wefaq, the largest Shi’ite Muslim opposition group, said a neutral non-Bahraini commission should investigate the case and other killings.

There had been “a complete loss of confidence in the integrity of the judiciary and security services of Bahrain”, it said in a statement.

Tensions between Bahrain’s ruling Sunni minority and Shi’ites have continued almost a year after violent demonstrations flared in the island state. The unrest was put
down with military help from Sunni-led Saudi Arabia, but low-level protests continue on an almost daily basis.

The United States, which moors its Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, has made a $53 million arms sale to Bahrain contingent on a positive response to the recommendations of a government inquiry into the unrest. Bahrain has said it is committed to reforming its police forces. …source