By KANWAL TARIQ HAMEED
Published: 12 September 2006
A SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD detained with 18 others on charges related to large-scale clashes between riot police and protesters in March was taken to hospital on Sunday as a result of an eight-day hunger strike, according to a human rights group.
Ahmed Jaffar Al Metghawi was reportedly taken to the BDF Hospital for treatment, according to the now-dissolved Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR).
The detainees, who have been held in police custody for more than five months, are staging a hunger strike to protest against their prolonged detention and are asking to be released even if court proceedings continue, says the BCHR.
By KANWAL TARIQ HAMEED
Published: 12 September 2006
A SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD detained with 18 others on charges related to large-scale clashes between riot police and protesters in March was taken to hospital on Sunday as a result of an eight-day hunger strike, according to a human rights group.
Ahmed Jaffar Al Metghawi was reportedly taken to the BDF Hospital for treatment, according to the now-dissolved Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR).
The detainees, who have been held in police custody for more than five months, are staging a hunger strike to protest against their prolonged detention and are asking to be released even if court proceedings continue, says the BCHR.
The organisation has appealed for two of detainees accused of assaulting a police officer to be released on bail and the other 17 to be released without charge. It argues that five months in prison is a “punishment that has been imposed on them before proving them guilty”.
Clashes erupted at Al Dana Mall on March 10 when scores of protesters rushed in and ran into a hypermarket, restaurant kitchens and other shops pursued by police during a demonstration.
They were demanding the release of people jailed for an unauthorised demonstration at Bahrain International Airport, as well as others detained since for protesting in support of them.
The High Criminal Court rejected the detainees’ bail application at their last hearing on August 15 and adjourned the case until Thursday to summon witnesses. All of the accused have pleaded not guilty.
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