Human rights group concerned about Rajab’s arrest

International News, News | 06:17 AM

Bahrains attend a demonstration in solidarity with human rights activist Nabeel Rajab (pictured on portrait) in the northwestern village of Bani Jamrah, west of Manama, on May 6, 2012.

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) has expressed grave concerns about the arrest of its deputy secretary general in Bahrain.

The Paris-based FIDH called for the immediate release of human rights activist Nabeel Rajab, who is the deputy secretary general of the organization, Reuters reported on Monday.”The federation demands the immediate and unconditional release of Rajab and other rights defenders, while it appears that these judicial harassments aim to place blocks against human rights activities,” FIDH said in a statement.

Rajab, who is also the president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, was arrested upon his return from Lebanon at the Bahrain International Airport in Manama on May 5.

He is accused of protesting without the ruling Al Khalifa regime’s permission and of insulting the authorities on social websites. Rajab has denied all the charges.

Rajab is a major critic of the regime and has played a significant role in anti-government demonstrations over the past few months.

Bahrainis have been holding peaceful anti-regime protests since February 2011.

The demonstrators hold King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa responsible for the death of protesters during the popular uprising.

AS/HGL