Pubdate: Sun, 12 Dec 2004
Source: Gulf Daily News (Bahrain)
Copyright: 2004 Gulf Daily News.
Contact:  http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2979
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

PRISONERS FAST

THIRTY-FIVE prisoners have gone on hunger strike to protest against alleged 
delays in Bahrain's courts.

They are understood to be angry because some have been in custody for over 
nine months without being dealt with in court, said an Interior Ministry 
spokesman.

"They are refusing to eat in protest against the public prosecution's 
decision to extend their stay in custody," he said.

Cases involving two groups of prisoners arrested earlier this year for 
drug-related charges, went back to court yesterday after repeated adjournments.

But both cases were again adjourned until January 15 and the defendants' 
relatives say there is no end in sight.

One of those on hunger strike, at the Criminal Investigation Directorate 
(CID), in Adliya, is a 30-year-old Bahraini accused with others of drug 
smuggling.

His 36-year-old brother met him in court yesterday and said he told him he 
stopped eating three days ago.

"We are worried. My mother doesn't know. If she did she would cry," he said.

His brother was one of four men arrested nine months ago after they were 
caught in a boat allegedly being used to smuggle hashish.

He was first detained by Saudi Arabia before being released into the 
custody of Bahraini authorities.

The father-of-two is demanding to be sentenced or released, at least on bail.

"He wants it to be finished," said his brother.

"They might give him 10 years, but we still don't know what's going to happen."

Five other Bahrainis were back in court yesterday after more than seven 
months in custody on drug-related charges.

They are among those now staging a hunger-strike after being further 
remanded in custody until January 15.

"I want justice. I demand a fair trial. I have lost everything since my 
arrest in May - my job, my family and my children," said a 28-year-old 
Bahraini.

"I have been rotting in custody for seven months. They should either 
sentence me or release me on bail until the trial.

"My reputation has been tarnished beyond repair even though the court may 
find me innocent."

Prisoners staged a similar protest back in August to protest at the long 
duration of trials.

More than 40 inmates were said then to have gone on hunger strike after a 
court renewed detention orders against five of them.

They had been arrested for allegedly smuggling drugs into the country and 
peddling narcotics.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jackl