Bahrain’s Nabeel Rajab arrested on “incitment charges”

Bahraini activist Rajab held on incitement charges
7 May, 2012 – BBC

A prominent human rights activist, Nabeel Rajab, has been arrested in Bahrain on charges of inciting protests by using social networking websites.

He was reportedly detained on arrival at Manama’s airport on Saturday after returning from a conference in Beirut.

On Sunday, a court ordered that the head of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) be remanded in custody for seven days pending investigation.

Mr Rajab has helped organise many protests against the government.

He is one of the most well-known activists in the Arab world, frequently speaking to the world’s media and having more than 140,000 followers on Twitter.
‘Defamatory’ depictions

A fellow activist told the BBC Mr Rajab had been arrested on Saturday evening at Bahrain International Airport shortly after stepping off a flight from Lebanon, where he attended a conference on human rights.

On Sunday evening, the interior ministry announced Mr Rajab had appeared before the Lower Criminal Court to face charges of “inciting illegal rallies and marches online by using social networking websites”.
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It appears that these judicial harassments aim to place blocks against human rights activities”

International Federation for Human Rights

“A police investigation also revealed that the defendant’s cyber incitement proved detrimental to public security as it fuelled rioting, road-blocking, arson, acts of sabotage targeting public and private properties, and the use of petrol bombs and incendiary devices,” a statement said.

“Evidence has been compiled on the defendant’s role in instigating online acts such as targeting policemen while on duty that has resulted in serious injuries.” …more