The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) expresses its grave concern in regards to the authorities’ continued use of arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and torture as tools against civilians. Recently, the BCHR documented the arbitrary arrest of several people in Nuwaidrat village at dawn without warrants on the 26th of August 2013. The BCHR expresses serious concern that these individuals might be subjected to torture and ill treatment in order to extract enforced confessions.
Ebrahim Ali Ahmed Ismaeel, 27 years old, was arrested on the 26th of August 2013 at approximately 4 am when masked men in civilian clothing backed by security forces raided his home by kicking the front door repeatedly until the father opened the door. They asked about his sons, and he showed them their rooms. One masked man in civilian clothing went to the eldest son’s room, Abbas, and asked him to give his ID card, then asking him to about his brother’s location. When he pointed to Jassim's apartment which is located inside the house, they replied "leave Jassim for another time, we want Ebrahim". They then went to Ebrahim's apartment that is also located inside the house, his brother knocked the door, but there was no response. Abbas was escorted by two masked men in civilian clothing as he attempted to call his brother Ebrahim, but they broke down Ebrahim’s apartment door before he could reach him. Ebrahim’s wife added that during his arrest, they searched the apartment and confiscated his mobile phone. Two days later, Ebrahim called from the Criminal Investigations Department, informing his brother that he is fine and that he will let him know if he is allowed visits. The family received news later that Ebrahim was admitted to the hospital for four days reportedly because of the torture he was subjected to during his stay at the CID.
Ahmed Hassan Yousif (18 years old), Hussain Hassan Yousif (18 years old) were arrested on the 27th of August 2013 after masked men in civilian clothing backed by security forces raided their home at 3:40 am. After they spread inside the house, the brother, Yousif, asked them to not enter any room as there were women inside. Yousif took them to the rooms, and they Inspected Ahmed and Hussain's room. They then blindfolded both of them and took them to the security bus. They tried to go into other rooms, but the family refused to allow them, as there were women inside. The family added that everyone was frightened and the women were screaming during the house raid.
The family later inquired about their sons at the Sitra Police Station then Isa Town Police Station and the Criminal Investigation Department. They all denied having them in custody.
The first call from Ahmed and Hussain was on Thursday, 29th of August 2013, during which they said that they were fine, and the line was cut. The family added that Ahmed got arrested the same day he completed his registration at the University as he got a scholarship from the ministry because he achieved high grades at school.
Ali Hassan Ahmad, 20 years old, was arrested on Monday 26th of August 2013 at approximately 4:30 am after masked men in civilian clothing backed by security forces started beating on the door and air conditioner of the house forcing the father to open the door. They entered the home and headed to Ali's room where they arrested him after they asked for his ID card and confiscated his mobile phone. When the father inquired about the reason of his arrest and if he is wanted, one replied, "yes he is".
The father attempted to stop the bus from leaving with his son, and he was pepper sprayed in the face and he and his wife were threatened that they would be shot with the pellet shotgun.
Three days later, on the 29th of August 2013, the family received a call from Ali who informed them that he is fine. The father informed the BCHR that Ali sounded fatigued and he fears that his son was subjected to torture. His father went to Sitra police station to ask about Ali, but they denied having him.
Based on the above, the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) demands the following:
- Immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Bahrain.
- Put an end to the use of torture to extract false confessions from detainees
- Put an end to illegal house raids, arbitrary arrests and detention without a court issued warrant
