Amnesty International has written to His Majesty the King of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, requesting information about the arrest of former Security Intelligence Service (SIS) officer, Adel Flaifel.

The letter also expressed concern that a new decree, issued late last month, effectively grants impunity for any human rights violations committed before February 2001.

Decree No. 56 for 2002 issued on October 23 stipulates the courts or tribunals in Bahrain will not consider any case brought against any individual accused of crimes before the general amnesty decree of February 2001.

Flaifel is being detained since his return to Bahrain from Australia last week after six months on the run.

He had fled Bahrain on May 3, one day before he was due to appear before a government committee investigating claims that he used his position as a senior officer in the SIS to swindle traders and financial institutions of millions of dinars.

He will appear before a military court, the date of which is yet to be announced, which will only look into the financial dispute.

But political groups and human rights activists say he should also stand trial for the alleged human rights violations and torture practices he allegedly committed against political prisoners during the 1980s and the 1990s.

In its letter to Sheikh Hamad, Amnesty International pointed out that under international law Bahrain was "obliged to bring to justice those responsible for human rights violations, including acts of torture, whether they are civilians or military and regardless of their rank," the organisation said in a statement, a copy of which was sent to Gulf News.

"There should be no amnesties, pardons or similar measures for persons who have committed such crimes if such measures would prevent the emergence of truth, final judicial determination of guilt or innocence and reparation for victims and their families."

"Ending impunity for torture and other human rights violations is an essential step towards promoting the rule of law by sending a clear message that such violations will not be tolerated," said the statement.