Former Bahraini Guantanamo inmate held in Saudi Arabia

Manama: A Bahraini who was expected to mark the third anniversary of his release from Guantanamo on Tuesday has landed up in a Saudi prison.

"I was hopeful that with the news coming from Saudi Arabia about the impending transfer of the two Bahrainis held there, we would see an end to a tragedy. Unfortunately, now, a third Bahraini is being held," MP Mohammad Khalid said on Monday.

"With three Bahrainis held there, I am afraid that the situation would become more complex unless the authorities act decisively," said the MP, who represents the Islamic Menbar, the third-largest bloc in parliament.

Abdullah Al Nuaimi was arrested on Wednesday while heading to Saudi Arabia via King Fahad Causeway, the 25-kilometre terrestrial link between the two kingdoms. His family said they were not aware of the reasons for the arrest.

Al Nuaimi, 27, was one of six Bahrainis detained in the US-run Guantanamo Bay prison on suspicion of terror links. No formal charges were brought against him and he was freed three years ago along with two others.

"As we were able to close the sad and tragic chapter of Guantanamo, we look forward to a happy ending to the situation of the three Bahrainis held in Saudi Arabia. We want the Bahraini authorities to act promptly so that they are reunited with their families," said Khalid, who is campaigning for the release of Khalil Janahi and Abdul Rahman Al Murbati.

Al Murbati, the brother of Eisa Al Murbati, the last Bahraini to be released from Guantanamo, was arrested in August 2003 in Madinah for allegedly being a member of a terrorist group in Saudi Arabia. Janahi was arrested in April on similar charges.