Bahrain: Convictions Tainted by Claims of Abuse
Verdicts Follow Allegations of Torture, Coerced Confessions in Detention
(New York, July 16, 2008) – Repeated allegations that confessions were obtained by abuse cast doubt on sentences that a Bahraini court has handed down this week to opposition political activists over violent protests in 2007, Human Rights Watch said today. The convictions of the men rested in part on confessions obtained during their interrogation and detention.

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Free teenager call by society
By Cairen Harry
Published: 15th JULY 2008

HUMAN rights activists are demanding the release of a Bahraini teenager who was held overnight for questioning following clashes between riot police and protesters on Sunday.

The 13-year-old was being held along with at least five other people for their involvement in protests, according to Bahrain Human Rights Society secretary-general Dr Abdulla Al Durazi.

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Two Bahrainis in Saudi jails
By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 16th July 2008

ONLY two Bahrainis are remaining in custody in Saudi Arabia, officials told the GDN.

They are Al Qaeda suspects Khalil Al Janahi and Abdulraheem Al Murbati. The two were never convicted or officially charged.

Al Adala (Justice) National Movement Society lawyer Abdulla Hashim does not believe there are any other prisoners whose cases remain unknown and is hopeful the last two will be released soon.

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Freedom joy for man jailed in terror case
By Geoffrey Bew
Published: 16th July 2008

A BAHRAINI man convicted of terrorism charges in Dubai was yesterday celebrating his first full day of freedom with his family after being released from prison.

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Riot case boy freed
By CAIREN HARRY
Published: 16th July 2008

A BAHRAINI teenager arrested during clashes between riot police and protesters on Sunday has been released from police custody.

The 13-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly setting an electric generator alight in Burhama on the night of the protests.

Bahrain Human Rights Society secretary-

Activist Sentenced to 7 years, Four Acquittals Remaining Between 1-5 Years

BCHR REF: 08071301

Amidst tight security measures and a thorough search of activist and members of the media, Bahraini 4th Higher Criminal Court Judge, Sheikh Mohammed Al-Khalifa sentenced today a group of activists on charges ranging from the stealing and illegal possession of a gun & the burning of a police jeep to illegal gathering and sabotage of public property and use of force against security officials. The sentences varied and included a large fine for one of the activists. Worth noting that 4 of those charged with harsh sentences are known activist who had been targeted by the government for their roles in their respective committees. Of them is Maytham Badr Al-Sheikh, who had alleged that he had been sexually assaulted while being interrogated. Another activist who received a large sentence and fine is Hassan Abdulnabi, an active member of the Unemployment Committee, long threatened of dire consequences should he continue in his active role with his committee.

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Woman collapses after riots verdict
By RASHA AL QAHTANI
Published: 14th July 2008

A WOMAN had to be taken to hospital amid emotional scenes after 11 men were convicted of rioting and handed prison sentences of one to seven years yesterday. The unidentified woman collapsed after hearing the verdict in the High Criminal Court, which acquitted four of the 15 men standing trial.

All defendants had been charged with rioting during the Eid and National Day holidays last December.

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11 rioters jailed
Published: 14th July 2008

03/07/2008 By Edward Burke

Bahrain’s top-down reforms, initiated by King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa in 2001, were a welcome respite for a population weary of the violence and state repression that characterised much of the preceding decade. King Hamad’s relatively benign treatment of CSOs and his tolerance for a wider degree of freedom of expression has won international praise, most effusively from the United States.

Just over a month after the Bahrain government said it would eliminate prison sentences for journalists and lift some bans on censored publications, it has done a massive U-turn. Authorities in the country are cracking down on opposition journalists, websites and even mosque leaders for apparently stirring up sectarian tensions and threatening national security, reports the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR).