Bahrain Mirror: The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) said that the Bahraini authorities detained mentally-challenged citizen, Kameel Ahmad Hamida, on December 13, 2016, demanding his immediate and unconditional release.

In a statement (Wednesday January 11, 2017), the center expressed deep concern regarding the authorities' constant arbitrary arrests and torture of detainees to extract confessions.

The center indicated that Kameel Ahmad was arrested after a raid on his house in the Sanabis area, by masked civilian forces at dawn December 13, 2016, despite his father's attempts to explain that Kameel is mentally challenged, and show medical reports to prove his case.

"The forces did not present any search or arrest warrant. After his arrest, his family received a call from him, informing them that he is in the criminal investigations building. He remained there until December 16, 2016, the day his family knew that he was transferred to the Dry Dock detention center", the center added in its report.

Moreover, the BCHR went on to say that Kameel's family received false information from the General Secretariat of the Grievances, which informed them of his transferred to the Dry Dock prison, while he was still in the criminal investigations building.

Kameel's family was not informed of the reason behind his detention.

Furthermore, the BCHR said, "On December 21, 2016, his family was able to visit him for the first time, where torture bruises were apparent, according to what they told BHCR."

The center also noted that Kameel told his family, that the physical torture was focused on his ears, to the extent that he can't hear well. He added that he was subjected to electric shocks on his feet, and hot water poured on him to extract confessions of illegal assembly and taking pictures for demonstrations.

The BCHR said Kameel was taken to the Public Prosecution without the presence of a lawyer. Although his family provided proof that Kameel is mentally challenged, the Prosecution ruled his detention for 15 days pending investigation, and then extended the detention for another two weeks. Kameel was scheduled to stand before a judge today Thursday (January 12, 2017) to look into his ongoing detention.

On this level, the BCHR condemned the Public Prosecution's involvement in the prolonged arbitrary detention of a mentally challenged person, in light of torture allegations to extract confessions. The center further demanded authorities to "immediately and unconditionally release Kameel Ahmad Hamida, and put an end to arbitrary detentions and torture."

Arabic Version