24th September 2013

BAHRAIN MEDIA ROUNDUP

LAWYER: BAHRAIN CONVICTS AMERICAN-BORN PROTESTER
A defense lawyer in Bahrain says an American-born man has been convicted of attacking the police during anti-government protests in the Gulf country and sentenced to 10 years in prison. The case could further strain Washington's relations with the strategic Gulf kingdom, home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet. The U.S. has previously criticized measures such as Bahrain restricting political groups from meeting foreign diplomats. Sunni-ruled Bahrain has faced more than 30 months of unrest as majority Shiites seek a greater political voice. Read More Tagi al-Maidan was arrested in October on charges that he murdered someone during protests against Bahrain's ruling Sunni majority in 2011. AlMaidan says he was coerced and tortured by police, leading him to make a false confession. Al-Maidan has lived in Bahrain for most of his life but was born on U.S. soil. The Bahraini government has denied any abuse in the incident, saying it has a "zero-tolerance policy" toward torture. Read More In 2011, as the Arab spring spread, thousands were arrested and Abdulemam says he was one of many tortured to sign false confessions. Last April, the 35-year-old escaped to the UK after being in hiding for over two years. Here's how he managed his incredible escape. Read More According to Public Prosecutor Nayef Yous, Bahrain has seen almost daily protests by members of the Shi'ite majority since

U.S. prisoner in Bahrain gets 10 years in jail: lawyer

A U.S. citizen was sentenced to 10 years in jail in Bahrain on Tuesday on charges of attempted murder during a disturbance related to Shi'ite Muslim demands for greater rights.

February 2011, when it quelled a Shi'ite led uprising demanding that the Sunni al-Khalifa dynasty give up power. Tagi al-Maidan had earlier told Reuters the charges against him were false, but that he had made a false confession under torture after his detention in October last year. The government has denied any abuse in the incident, saying it has a "zero-tolerance policy" towards torture. Read More after the interrogation, Marzouq was charged under the Law for Protecting the Community from Terrorist Acts, with inciting and advocating terrorism, and using his leadership position in a legally organized political society to incite crimes. The Public Prosecutors ofce ordered Marzouqs detention for 30 days, pending an investigation. If convicted, he will face a lengthy jail sentence, and his citizenship may be revoked. Read More

US citizen sentenced to 10 years in Bahraini prison

A U.S. citizen who participated in antigovernment protests in Bahrain has been sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of attempted murder. But his lawyer and rights activists say the charges are false, and are just another sign of theincreased crackdown on Bahrains Shiite majority.

Opposition leader arrested as social tensions rise in Bahrain

Khalil al-Marzouq, Assistant Secretary General of Bahrains main Shia opposition association alWefaq, was taken into custody on September 17. The opposition leader was rst summoned to a police station, where he was allegedly interrogated for seven hours in the presence of his lawyer.

Bahraini activist Ali Abdulemam on how to escape from a repressive regime

Bahraini activist Ali Abdulemam runs Bahrain Online, a pro-democracy platform in a country where holding such opinions can get you arrested.