URGENT – BAHRAINI OPPOSITION LEADER FEARED TORTURED

BAHRAINI OPPOSITION LEADER FEARED TORTURED

Ebrahim Sharif, one of several prominent opposition leaders detained in Bahrain in March, was transferred on or around 10 April to a military hospital in al-Riffa’, central Bahrain. His family has not had access to him since he was detained. Amnesty International fears he might be at risk of torture or ill-treatment.

Ebrahim Sharif, Secretary General of the National Democratic Action Society (Waad), a secular political opposition association in Bahrain, was arrested at his house in Manama on 17 March. Since that day his family has not been allowed to visit him and he is believed to be held in military custody. Amnesty International has received reports that he may have been subjected to torture or other ill-treatment after his arrest.

Ebrahim Sharif was admitted to the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) military hospital in al-Riffa’, central Bahrain, reportedly for the second time on or around 10 April and his family does not know if he is still there. According to information received by Amnesty International, a patient at the hospital saw Ebrahim on 10 April and recognized him despite his swollen face, raising concerns that he may have been assaulted and otherwise tortured in detention. His family has officially requested visits to Ebrahim Sharif twice; the first time days after his arrest and the second time in the week of 18 April, but their requests have not received any answer from the authorities. Amnesty International fears that Ebrahim Sharif remains at risk of torture or other ill-treatment. …more