BJDM welcomes the release of Khalil Almarzooq today, but believes justice will not be served until the politically motivated charges he faces are dropped. During a court session on the morning of 24th October 2013, it was announced that his trial will be postponed until 18th November. Almarzooq was released from detention on the condition that he remains in Bahrain, whilst the charges are pending.
The court session was attended by a large number of diplomatic and foreign embassy officials, whilst many in the international community have called for Almarzooq to be released. This includes the dozens of global Parliamentarians who signed the petition that urged Bahrain to release him and drop the charges. We thank those who have advocated on his behalf for their support and call on the efforts to be stepped up in the coming weeks ahead of the postponed date.
Almarzooq was arrested on 17th September accused of inciting terrorism, following a speech made at a rally 2 weeks earlier. This is despite the fact that, during the accused speech, Almarzooq reiterated “We have no alternative except supporting all peaceful movement, our line of distinction will continue to be the peacefulness, therefore I encourage you to continue and keep up with your peacefulness.” Immediately after his arrest Amnesty International referred to Almarzooq as a “prisoner of conscience”.
BJDM will continue to campaign on behalf of Almarzooq, in the hope that both the false charges will be dropped and that the authorities begin the process of a meaningful political dialogue that engages leading peaceful figures such as Almarzooq. The imprisonment of leading figures from the moderate opposition will only serve to push the country further away from an end to the crisis that has seen over a hundred killed and thousands jailed in the past 2 and a half years.
