Leaflets pair facing three-year jail term
By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 2nd January 2007
TWO men arrested after allegedly being caught with subversive literature could spend three years in jail, if found guilty.
Dr Mohammed Saeed Al Sahlawi, a 35-year-old dentist, and Hussein Abdulaziz Al Habashi, 32, are being held at the CID, Adliya, having spent more than 40 days in custody.
Their lawyer Mohammed Ahmed confirmed charges were being brought against them, but said his clients would remain in custody until they appeared at the Lower Criminal Court on Sunday.
It is alleged the men planned to circulate leaflets urging people to boycott the national elections and stage a series of ‘civil disobedience’ protests.
Leaflets pair facing three-year jail term
By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 2nd January 2007
TWO men arrested after allegedly being caught with subversive literature could spend three years in jail, if found guilty.
Dr Mohammed Saeed Al Sahlawi, a 35-year-old dentist, and Hussein Abdulaziz Al Habashi, 32, are being held at the CID, Adliya, having spent more than 40 days in custody.
Their lawyer Mohammed Ahmed confirmed charges were being brought against them, but said his clients would remain in custody until they appeared at the Lower Criminal Court on Sunday.
It is alleged the men planned to circulate leaflets urging people to boycott the national elections and stage a series of ‘civil disobedience’ protests.
They have been held on two charges, relating to the Press and Publishing Code and Penal Code.
The first relates to publications promoting “changing the system of the state through illegal means and without a legitimate reason”.
The second relates to publications allegedly containing false rumours that “would cause disruption of public security and damage public interest”.
The charges say that the men intended to distribute the publications in a number of Bahrain mosques. Mr Ahmed, who believes their detention is unjust and they have no case to answer, told the GDN the maximum penalty for the crime was three years in jail and an unlimited fine.
“I think a lot of people need to be concerned about this because it is a very bad sign,” he said of their arrest and detention.
“This is freedom of speech, they did not write the articles.
“At the end of the day they did not attack anybody or ask people to express their beliefs in a violent or uncivilised way.”
However, Mr Ahmed said he was happy the case was finally proceeding to the courts.
“I believe I have a very strong case because these people did nothing wrong and they should not be subject to any punishment for expressing their political beliefs,” he said.
“I do not see how somebody who says they disagree with the constitutional structure or political system can be punished.”
Mr Ahmed works for Taqi and Mohammed Ahmed, but is representing the men independently of the Manama-based firm.
He said the men had not been subject to any investigation or interrogation since shortly after their arrest and said they were being held in cramped conditions with six or seven other criminals and suspects.
The men were arrested on November 16 and Al Haq Movement of Liberties and Democracy’s media and international relations director Dr Abdul Jalil Singace said the timing of their detention has added to their torment.
“Having them separated from their families because they have expressed their views is inhumane,” he said.
“Eid Al Adha has passed and they are missing all the holidays and other social gatherings.”
Dr Singace said the men’s families had made a handful of visits over the holidays, but the conditions made it extremely stressful – especially for Mr Al Habashi, whose wife recently had a child.
“When they visit them they are talking with them through a wire mesh and Hussein is not able to sit alone with his wife,” he said.
“He cannot even kiss his son or touch him which is painful.”
The families of the two men and human rights activists held a protest outside the Public Prosecution building, in Manama, last Wednesday following two earlier protests outside the Geant Hypermarket, Bahrain Mall.
The Al Haq group also previously appealed to the UN for intervention, but Dr Singace accepts holding protests calling for the men’s release may be futile.
“This is the least we can do,” he said.
“We are just asking for them to be released because what they did is not truly a crime.
“Information is accessible everywhere and judging intention is the most harshest of penalties.
“They are not the only ones who called for a boycott of the elections, we called for that too.
“Why don’t they come for us?”
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© Gulf Daily News