Bahrain has arrested seven people on suspicion of planning bombings in the strategically important Gulf state. They include six alleged Muslim extremists who were detained last month but released without charge. Their alleged targets were government, economic and tourist facilities, the interior ministry said in a statement. (Continued)
These guys have been arrested and released without being charged several times now I think. I wish the authorities would take the time to collect enough evidence before arresting them. It is interesting though, the way in which many news outlets are suggesting that this may be part of an ongoing tussle between the Bahraini and American authorities. As you may recall, the families of Fifth Fleet servicemen were ordered to temporarily relocate soon after these accused terrorists were released three weeks ago. I'm not sure what's going on behind the scenes, but life on the island is normal as usual.
This entry was posted
on Thursday, July 15, 2004 at 7/15/2004 02:42:00 am. Permalink
Well if they weren't terrorists before, they may be thinking about it after the arrests. Would think the government would be alittle red faced over all of this. Not only that, I would hope they would take the safety of all people on the island seriously, because when they mess it up, innocent people are going to be hurt.
I don't know whether to agree with the above noter or not. My brother is one of the guys arrested. He was arrested last month and was released after 48 hours for lack of evidence. However, when he was released, the US embassy disapproved and ordered the government to arrest the men again for the safety of the American families. The government refused to do so on the grounds that they don't have any proof that they're terrorists or even potential terrorists. I guess sooner or later they would have to give in to the US's orders.
They are held for 45 days. Who knows what will happen after that. I'm only scared that this will go on longer than needed/required.
FYI: I do have a diary, but elsewhere. www.opendiary.com. Your blog is on my favorites. :)
My first comment was meant to be sarcastic not a comment on anyone's guilt or innocence. Kinda of the you are under arrest or wait you are not or maybe you are.
If you feel the government is being influenced by the US, then you should call them on it. Since alot of people don't listen to the US anyway these days, I am not sure that is the reason. Mistakes are made. Perhaps the government has evidence, perhaps they want to be seen as doing something to protect the people.
In any case it is their responsibility to do what is right to protect everyone.
Yes, that is the story I've heard going around, that the US Embassy insisted on arresting the men again. I was wondering if you have just heard these rumours like the rest of us, or whether you have a more credible source (since your brother is among the arrested).
Also, it seems that the protest for the arrested men that was due to be held today (Saturday) has been postponed until Tuesday. Any idea why this happened?
Finally, is there any chance that you might share with us the full address of your diary/blog? I'd be very interested in reading what you have to say. Thanks
Well, a protest was to be held today. Instead, one of the lawyers found out that we need to get permission to do this kind of protests, plus only family members can join in which we thought would be pointless. We need people. We need the public. We need to tell everyone that these men are not dangerous, but victims of false reports written by certain Bahraini intelligence and 'sold' to the US. Since the US is paranoid about terrorism and such, I don't blame them for pressuring the government for arresting the men again. We need to let them know the truth. I was with my brother's lawyer this afternoon. She has attended one of the interrogation sessions along with other lawyers and found absolutely no reason or 'dangerous evidence' to keep them in. Finally, all men refuse to eat and it's been going on since the day they were arrested. They're currently on water and a Dr. is available to insert IV lines once in a while and check on them.
Log on to www.opendiary.com. You will need to sign up in order to read my diary. Just in case, my diary name is 'Sparkle in my eyes' I'm a law student studying in the UK. :)
I'm glad you've finally found my diary. :) Thank you for the notes you've left. :) Just in case, I'll let you know about the demonstration on Tuesday. Take care - Sparkle in my eyes
Mohammed Khaled denies that these terror suspects were planning anything - well he's best placed to know as the probable ring leader of Arabia Al-Qaeda.
These guys are up to their eye balls in terrorism, and there's no way they should be let out until they've been fully investigated. Several are former jihadi graduates of terror training camps in Afghanistan and Pakistan, others were tried last year after arms caches were found in their houses (and let off on technicalities), one's on the telephone to the head of Saudi Al Qaeda, while another's downloading bomb making instructions from the internet. Its a pretty convincing case that these people were up to something.
Everyone acknowledges that Bahrain faces a very serious terrorist threat. Thirty minutes drive away is Al Khobar where we've seen the Bahraini detainees' ideological brethern slitting throats when residents answer wrongly the question: "Are you Muslim or Christian?"
What Bahrain cannot afford to do is to make the same mistake that Saudi did in claiming that there isn't a problem; there is - blaming the alert on the American media or their embassy is an excuse to let these people out so that they can start killing.
I'm not going to attack the above noter because he/she is entitled to their own thoughts. There's both sides to a story. This case is an old and confusing case. The main reason why these men were arrested back in 2003 where because of the weapons they've found in one of the houses. They were taken to court and proven guilty. However, I don't consider the Bahraini government to be stupid to an extent to let out the other men without thorough investigation. Clearly they've found nothing. I can speak for my brother more than the rest. He's a man with six children, studied in the States during his teens up to his early 20's. He did not become a strict Muslim until after he had gotten married. Even so, he was never the one to promote violence. You may be asking 'why then was he arrested?' My only answer would be that he was on good terms with one of the other men arrested as well because he was a cousin of his wife's. He frequently visited my brother when he didn't have a clue that he's been to Afghanistan back in the 80's when they were encouraged and allowed to go. The government had thought that they've been planning for something dangerous which was later on proved to be false. For your information, after his release in 2003, he stopped contacting him and the other men all together. Right now, the Bahraini government is trying to prove again that they're working TOGETHER. If that's the case, then I'm glad because so far they haven't been able to prove that with my brother. They've tapped into phone calls and checked his computer and have found nothing so far. Maybe the other men are hiding something, who knows. Maybe they did make phone calls to Bin Ladin or whatever, who knows! I can speak on behalf of my brother and tell you that he has no business doing that kind of thing. Finally, I don't like to think that there could be some kind of violence taking place on the island because it has always been so safe and quiet. Law and order will take it's natural course... At least, we hope for that.
And I'm sorry Chan'ad, but I'm changing my diary to 'Favorites only.' Mr Anonymous up there managed to log into my diary and leave a rude note. I'm trying to be civil about this as much as possible. You can still read my diary though, because I've added you on my favorite list. :) Take care - Sparkle in my eye
Chan'ad is a fish that inhabits the shores of Bahrain. When he isn't dodging hungry fishermen, he likes to swim around and keep an eye on happenings on the island and nearby.
7/16/2004 04:28:00 am
Well if they weren't terrorists before, they may be thinking about it after the arrests. Would think the government would be alittle red faced over all of this. Not only that, I would hope they would take the safety of all people on the island seriously, because when they mess it up, innocent people are going to be hurt.