GDN:Bahraini ‘terror suspect’ moved into detention

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Bahraini ‘terror suspect’ moved into detention
By MOHAMMED AL A’ALI
A PARDONED Bahraini terror suspect held in Syria was yesterday moved to a detention facility.

Shaikh Mohammed Habib Al Muqdad was arrested at the Damascus airport as he tried to return home on Wednesday.

Immigration officials took him to the National Security Agency earlier in the day, before shifting him to the facility.

The Al Zahraa Orphans’ Support Society president had arrived in Syria five days ago.

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Bahraini ‘terror suspect’ moved into detention
By MOHAMMED AL A’ALI
A PARDONED Bahraini terror suspect held in Syria was yesterday moved to a detention facility.

Shaikh Mohammed Habib Al Muqdad was arrested at the Damascus airport as he tried to return home on Wednesday.

Immigration officials took him to the National Security Agency earlier in the day, before shifting him to the facility.

The Al Zahraa Orphans’ Support Society president had arrived in Syria five days ago.

His name apparently showed up on a list of people banned from travelling, on an immigration desk computer.

“We have contacted Bahraini friends in Syria and they are following the case with top Syrian officials,” brother Mohsin told the GDN last night.

“He has been moved to a temporary detention facility. But there is no information on what happened to him after the agency took him from immigration officials.

“We thank all those trying to help us get him out.”

Mr Al Muqdad said Syrian Ambassador Sulaiman Sara was shocked to hear the news of his brother’s arrest.

“I went to the embassy in Umm Al Hassam and found that he learnt about the arrest from local newspapers. But he promised to follow up the case even during the weekend.

“He was very helpful and I hope his efforts will help us, considering that he is updating me.”

The family and supporters planned a demonstration in front of the embassy but later cancelled it as Mr Al Muqdad decided to pay a friendly visit to Mr Sara and submit a letter.

The trial of 35 men, including Mr Al Muqdad, suspected of plotting terror attacks during Bahrain’s National Day celebrations last year, was indefinitely suspended days after His Majesty King Hamad pardoned 178 Bahrainis.

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 malls, markets and hotels with homemade explosives. The three political figures were accused of instigating people to change the political system by violent means, inciting hatred against the ruling system and financing and supporting a terrorist group.

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