‘Down with the king’: Death of Bahraini in custody sparks angry dissent

Down with the king’: Death of Bahraini in custody sparks angry dissent

The sudden passing of a Bahraini man while in detention has ignited fierce public opposition in the Gulf nation, with critics accusing authorities of mistreatment. Mohamed al-Mosawi, 32, was detained during the final days of Ramadan on 19 March, according to the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (Bird). His friends claimed he was stopped at a checkpoint, leading to his enforced disappearance without prior notice to his family.

On Friday, Mosawi’s family received a call informing them to retrieve his body from the Bahrain Defence Force Hospital. Photographs and video footage shared with Middle East Eye revealed visible injuries across his face and torso, prompting claims he was likely subjected to torture before his death. The interior ministry, however, dismissed these allegations, stating it had initiated an inquiry into the matter.

“Images on social media showing injuries on the deceased are misleading,” the ministry said, while asserting that Mosawi was arrested by the national intelligence agency for espionage. The charges included providing intelligence to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to aid attacks on Gulf targets. Mosawi had previously spent over a decade in Jau Prison, a facility known for harsh conditions, as a political detainee.

Released in April 2024 alongside 1,500 other prisoners, Mosawi’s freedom was short-lived. His death certificate, obtained by MEE, notes he died at 2.29am on 27 March from cardiopulmonary arrest and acute coronary syndrome. Yet, Sayed Alwadaei, director of Bird, emphasized that the state of his body resonated with past victims of security custody. “The state of his body reminds me of many men whose bodies emerged from security custody in the same condition,” Alwadaei told MEE.

Ebtisam al-Saegh, a human rights activist who has previously criticized Bahraini security services for abuses, echoed the sentiment. “You can be detained for any reason, disappear completely, and then suddenly your family finds your lifeless body,” she said, expressing deep anguish over Mosawi’s fate. The incident has intensified calls for accountability, particularly as Shia communities face disproportionate targeting in recent arrests.

Mosawi is believed to be the first detainee to die in custody since Iran’s missile attacks on Gulf states began a month ago in retaliation for the US and Israel’s actions. The conflict has led to domestic crackdowns, with Bird documenting at least 220 arrests. Many detainees were linked to protests or social media posts criticizing the government or sharing footage of Iranian strikes.

At his funeral in Muharraq, hundreds gathered to mourn, chanting slogans against the monarchy. “We will never be humiliated” and “down with Hamad” were among the cries, referencing King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Sporadic demonstrations also erupted on Friday evening, with demonstrators shouting “may God curse you Hamad.” Such expressions of dissent are rare due to strict controls on free speech and public protest.

MEE spoke to three anonymous attendees at the funeral, who described the event as a symbol of resistance. “Yesterday, I attended the funeral of a former prison mate with whom I spent 10 years,” one person said. “Despite the repression, the slogans expressed a sense of resistance and refusal to be broken.”