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Pardoned man arrested in Syria
By MOHAMMED AL A’ALI
A PARDONED Bahraini terror suspect was last night still in Syrian police custody after being arrested as he tried to leave for home.
Shaikh Mohammed Habib Al Muqdad entered Syria four days ago, but was arrested at Damascus airport as he was about to fly out early yesterday.
His name apparently showed up on a list of people banned from travelling, on an immigration desk computer.
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Pardoned man arrested in Syria
By MOHAMMED AL A’ALI
A PARDONED Bahraini terror suspect was last night still in Syrian police custody after being arrested as he tried to leave for home.
Shaikh Mohammed Habib Al Muqdad entered Syria four days ago, but was arrested at Damascus airport as he was about to fly out early yesterday.
His name apparently showed up on a list of people banned from travelling, on an immigration desk computer.
The Al Zahraa Orphans Support Society president had no problem entering Syria, his brother Mohsin Al Muqdad told the GDN.
“The Bahraini government pardoned 178 people involved in various security-related cases in April, including my brother, but some are still facing trouble travelling,” he said.
“My brother had no problem travelling, but had a problem coming back home, which is awkward.”
Family and supporters are planning to demonstrate in front of the Syrian Embassy, in Umm Al Hassam at 9am today, unless Shaikh Al Muqdad is released overnight.
“A letter will be taken to the Foreign Ministry this morning asking the reasons why lists have not been updated and why he has been arrested,” said Mr Al Muqdad.
“I don’t want to blame the Bahraini government, because if there was a problem they would not have allowed him to travel in the first place.
Mistake
“I blame the Syrians for letting him in and then refusing to let him out.
“Did the Syrians get a new list that included his name while he was in Syria, or is it a mistake by a lazy Syrian immigration official, who was looking under the wrong date. Those questions will need answers soon.
“Until today, we are facing trouble contacting our embassy there and the Syrian authorities to check on his condition and what has happened to him.
“Hopefully the matter will be corrected and my brother will be back home.”
A statement issued by parliament public utilities and environment affairs committee chairman Al Wefaq MP Jawad Fairooz said that his bloc was already co-operating with the Foreign Ministry to solve the problem.
He said that there was confusion between the concerned Bahraini and Syrian authorities, which he hoped would be solved within hours.
The trial of 35 men, including Mr Al Muqdad, suspected of plotting to carry out terrorist attacks during Bahrain’s National Day celebrations last year was indefinitely suspended days after the pardon by His Majesty King Hamad.
Haq Movement for Liberties and Democracy chief Hassan Mushaima, and media and international relations director Dr Abduljalil Al Singace were among those pardoned.
The December 17 plot allegedly included ambushing policemen, destroying public property and attacking shopping malls, markets and hotels with homemade explosives.
The three political figures were accused of promoting and instigating people to change the political system by violent means, inciting people to spread hatred against the ruling system and financing and supporting a terrorist group. alaali@gdn.com.bh
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