Mohammad Mohammad ‘Abdulnabi ‘Abdulwasi was released without charge on the evening of 20 December 2012. In the morning he had been transferred from Dry Dock prison, north-eastern Bahrain, to a juvenile detention center, where his family were able to visit him. According to information received by Amnesty International, following his arrest Mohammad Mohammad ‘Abdulnabi ‘Abdulwasi was kept in a police vehicle for up to six hours, while the police officers carried out their rounds. Later, during his interrogation at the Dry Dock prison, he was reportedly hit by the interrogating officers. The exact reason for his arrest remains unclear.
Mohammad Mohammad ‘Abdulnabi ‘Abdulwasi was arrested at his house in Sitra after it was raided on 11 December by riot police, who allegedly did not show an arrest warrant. During the raid, the riot police apparently broke the main door and took money and other items from the house. His family informed Amnesty International that the riot police asked for an electricity bill (as proof of residence) and while the family were looking for it in another room, Mohammad Mohammad ‘Abdulnabi ‘Abdulwasi was taken without their knowledge. The boy was able to call his family two days after his arrest, informing them he was being held at Dry Dock prison. The day after his arrest he had been taken to the Public Prosecution Office without his lawyer or family.
Under international law, anyone under the age of 18 is a child and children suspected of a criminal offense should be treated according to the rules of the juvenile justice system.
Final update to Urgent Action 362/12.
This victory made possible by Amnesty International’s Urgent Action Network. This global network responds to urgent situations involving prisoners of conscience, detainees, and other individuals whose human rights are being imminently threatened. Members of the Urgent Action Network compose and send letters, e-mails and faxes to government officials who have the power to stop the human rights violations. Join the Urgent Action Network.