By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 25 September 2006
EIGHTEEN prisoners were released from custody yesterday after receiving a royal pardon from His Majesty King Hamad.
All of those freed had been held in connection with the Dana Mall riots in Sanabis, in March, said human rights activist Nabeel Rajab.
He said 15 of the prisoners were released from the Dry Dock police station in Muharraq, two from Umm Al Hassan and the other from the CID headquarters in Adliya.
Supporters and relatives were set to gather at the dry dock police station in Hidd in wait for their loved ones release at 4pm, but the prisoners were let out in a low-key procedure at around 2.30pm, said Mr Rajab, vice-president of the now defunct Bahrain Centre for Human Rights.
By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 25 September 2006
EIGHTEEN prisoners were released from custody yesterday after receiving a royal pardon from His Majesty King Hamad.
All of those freed had been held in connection with the Dana Mall riots in Sanabis, in March, said human rights activist Nabeel Rajab.
He said 15 of the prisoners were released from the Dry Dock police station in Muharraq, two from Umm Al Hassan and the other from the CID headquarters in Adliya.
Supporters and relatives were set to gather at the dry dock police station in Hidd in wait for their loved ones release at 4pm, but the prisoners were let out in a low-key procedure at around 2.30pm, said Mr Rajab, vice-president of the now defunct Bahrain Centre for Human Rights.
Forty-three other people held in connection with other demonstrations, including at Bahrain International Airport last December, were freed under royal pardon last Friday.
Mr Rajab welcomed the latest releases, but said it had taken too long.
“The charges have been dropped and we expect them to go back to their work and normal lives,” he said.
“We are happy of course that they are out and we feel this was the correct action to take.
“But it should have been done a long time ago. These people did not deserve to be in detention for six months without any court verdict.”
Those involved had been charged with staging an illegal demonstration, clashing with police and damaging public and private property at the mall on March 10.
Most of those detained were aged 15 to 18 and some staged a hunger strike while in custody.
The wife of one prisoner last night said she was delighted to have her husband home.
“Praise be to God it is over because of God’s blessings and due to the assistance given by (human rights) organisations,” said the woman, who declined to be named.
“My husband spent months in detention and they faced many difficulties, especially after they went on hunger strike. My husband took part in the hunger strike and because of that he got weak and developed some stomach problems because of not eating.
“In the prison the conditions were very depressing because of the harsh treatment. “The police had taken all their belongings when they went to prison.”
© Gulf Daily News
