Bahraini groups call for release of arrested men

Manama: Two different political movements on Saturday urged the Bahraini authorities to set free some of their members who were allegedly arrested on Thursday.

Al Adala (The National Justice Movement) said its member Ali Mattar was arrested on Thursday, although security authorities have not yet disclosed his detention. Al Adala said it suspected the arrest of Mattar, in his 40s, could be security-related.

The activist was summoned for investigation on Wednesday and was then allowed to go home. He was, however, arrested on Thursday. A second man was detained with Mattar, but no information about his name or status was available.

"We have launched efforts to have the two men released promptly. We believe the arrests are related to the fight against terror," Al Adala said on its website.

Mattar and his friend were closely monitored by the security authorities 48 hours prior to their arrest, the movement said.

Al Adala, formed in 2006 and led by former National Democratic Action lawyer Abdullah Hashim, has been active and particularly vociferous in supporting the resistance in Iraq and Afghanistan.

One of its members is twice-arrested terror suspect Mohi Al Deen Mahmoud Khan, a former Afghan jihadi. He and other members were suspected of having links with Al Qaida, but a court cleared them of any wrongdoing.

Last April, the movement came under heavy criticism from the interior ministry and activists for organising a rally in which demonstrators carried posters of Al Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden.

The National Democratic Action Society (Waad), the largest left-wing political party, said its member Abdullah Hassan Bu Hassan was also arrested on Thursday, allegedly for an opinion piece he wrote for Al Demokrati, its newsletter, and for posting his views on what is known as Al Bandar report on his car.

"What Abdullah wrote reflects the views and opinions of Waad, so any condemnation should include the secretary-general and the politburo," Ebrahim Sharif, Waad's secretary-general, said in a press statement.

Legal authorities have imposed a gag on Al Bandar report, named after a former government consultant, which alleged the existence of a conspiracy to alter the demography of the country and curb the power of Shiites.

Websites that post remarks on the report have been blocked.