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Shia News Wire_#18

May 8th, 2015

Sheikh al- Nimr Scheduled for Death Sentence Again!

Shia Rights Watch is concerned about Sheikh Nimr al Nimr as this organization was informed Saudi authorities have prevented his family and friends from visiting him. According Sheikh’s inner circle, family and friends can no longer visit him.  Same sources informed SRW that the fear of implementing death sentence is growing among Sheikh’s followers.

Sheikh Nimr was attacked and arrested while on route to his home in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Qatif region on July 8, 2012. The Sheik was subsequently charged with disturbing the country’s security, giving anti-government speeches, and defending political prisoners. These charges have earned the Sheik a death sentence which has sparked outrage among the international community. He was scheduled to be sentences on August 12th but it was postponed by the Saudi authorities. However some Saudi sources claim Sheikh is scheduled for implementation of the death sentence on the anniversary of the death of former Interior Minister, Nayef bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, one of the princes of the kingdom, which encountered his death the sixteenth of June.

SRW believes execution of Sheikh Nimr could have dangerous consequences as he is a very well-known peace maker who has advocated freedom, equality and reform within the country. This NGO invites and urges international committees to step in and investigate the death sentence and also to pressure Saudi kingdom to free political prisoners as freedom of speech and religion is all human’s basic right.

 

Summary of Violations in Bahrain in First Three Months of 2015

First three months of 2015 have been full of Shia rights violations in Bahrain. According to Bahraini human rights activists

  • More than 1600 detainees in Jow central prison were subjected to torture, humiliating treatment and deprivation of basic rights during the first quarter of 2015.
  • More than 400 torture cases were recorded,
  • 653 people, including 16 women and 119 children, were detained between January-March,
  • 337 political prisoners were sentenced to average of nine years in prison each,
  • 32 people were charged with life sentences and three death sentences,
  • More than 2600 peaceful protesters were arrested after usage of tear gas and shotguns,
  • 278 people arrested during the house raids,
  • 559 house raids were also reported,
  • Finally 49 political and human right activists abroad, were stripped of their Bahrain nationality.

Bahraini Shia make up majority of population in Bahrain yet they have no freedom to practice their faith or change their government.

All human rights NGOs have reported brutal cases of violations from Bahrain yet no steps were taken to pressure Bahrain kingdom to treat this population fairly.

 

Attack to al-Zahraa Mosque Claimed 12 Lives

Two bomb explosions killed number of Shia Muslims as they performed Friday prayers inside mosques. A suicide car bomber attacked the al-Zahraa mosque in the town of Balad Ruz as worshipers were leaving after the Friday prayer. A second suicide bomber attacked the crowds gathered in the aftermath. At least 30 wounded and 12 killed.

Balad Ruz is located 70 kilometers (44 miles) northeast of Baghdad.

No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

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