Bahrain won’t abandon its citizens: HM the King

Al Haddad and his compatriots were arrested by the Qatari Coastal and Border Security on 8th January 2021, while on a fishing trip. Al Haddad’s arrest was also the third such incident reported in recent months.

Upon landing in Bahrain, Sami Ibrahim Al-Haddad, Muhammad Yusef Al-Dossary and Habib Abbas were given a warm reception by Muharraq Governor Salman bin Isa Bin Hindi Al Mannai.

Later, in a statement to AlAyam, Habib Abbas described his days in Qatari prison as “harsh and painful”.

Qatari officials, he said, behaved rudely, and, until the day of release, “I was not allowed to take a shower.” “I was not even allowed to change my clothes, as well,” he told AlAyam. “We were taken into custody by force under the pretext of us crossing their border, thought marine maps confirmed that our vessel was not.” “So, they confiscated the device as well.”

“I was treated like a criminal or a smuggler, forgetting the fact that I am a gulf citizen.” “I was also asked to remain mum when I reminded them that I was, indeed, a fisherman.” “But thanks to His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister and His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, I know Bahrain does not abandon her children, whatever the circumstances are,” he said.

Amid the happiness, he, however, had no clue on how to support his family.

The boat he had is still in the captivity of Qataris and is in Doha.

Interior Ministry early said Qatar had not released the boats, and Banooshs (traditional boats) captured, taking the number of captured vessels to 50 since the dispute began.

Meanwhile, Bahraini officials are mulling various options, including legal measures.

The General Department of Investigation and Criminal Evidence had said they would talk to Sami Ibrahim Al-Haddad, Muhammad Yusef Al-Dossary and Habib Abbas on the arrest.

Meanwhile, Bahrain had reopened its airspace to Qatar on 11th January 2021 according to a deal signed earlier this month.

The accord ends a long-standing dispute in which Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt severed ties with Qatar in mid-2017.

As of now, all four nations have resumed air links with Qatar.

Following trio’s release, Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it considers the release of Bahraini citizens by Qatari authorities as a positive step towards addressing the unresolved issues between the two countries to enhance cooperation between the GCC states.

The ministry also called on Qatar to release the Asian sailors who are still in captivity, considering their humanitarian situations.

Meanwhile, the Bahrain Human Rights Group, the European Gulf Centre for Human Rights, the Bahrain Society for Human Rights Watch and a group of independent human rights activists strongly condemned Qatar for torturing Bahraini citizens.

The General Coordinator of the Four Organizations, Faisal Foulad, said the organisations will approach international bodies against Qatari behaviour.