Arrest of Individual Wanted in Relations to “Airport Incident”
Swift Justice in Question!
Bahrain Centre for Human Rights
Ref: 06050611
Arrest of Individual Wanted in Relations to “Airport Incident”
Swift Justice in Question!
Bahrain Centre for Human Rights
Ref: 06050611
After a Pursuit following a Peaceful Demonstration, Seyed Ali Majeed Esmael, was arrested near the Salmaniya Medical Complex on Friday the 28th of April, according to local newspapers. The Police blocked the hospitals ambulance emergency exit in order to arrest Mr. Esmael, who was sentenced to two years in absentia in relations to the “Airport Incident” and was one of the three defendants who refused to hand themselves over after receiving warrants for their arrests(Ref: 09020601). The Airport protest, which happened on the 25th of December 2005, was a direct reaction to the temporary arrest at the airport, of a prominent figure (Sheikh Sanad) who called two months earlier for a referendum under the supervision of the United Nations on the legitimacy of the political system in Bahrain. Thirteen defendants were charged with illegal gathering and sentenced accordingly (Background BCHR Ref: 16010605).
According to Mr. Ali Al-Arrayeth, the defendants lawyer, Mr Esmael was brought before the Public Prosecutor the very next morning of his arrest, Saturday 29th April, and on Sunday the 30th of April was sentenced by the 4th Criminal Court to 2 years in jail.
The Centre views with skepticism, the authority’s notion of swift justice, and is concerned as to the defendant’s chances of receiving a fair trial in view of the previous Court violations of Defendants rights that have taken place during these past months.