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August 16, 2012

Bahraini Activist Nabeel Rajab Sentenced to 3 Years for Protesting U.S.-Backed Regime 
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A prominent human rights activist in Bahrain has been sentenced to three
years in prison for taking part in protests against the U.S.-backed
regime. Nabeel Rajab, the president of the Bahrain Center for Human
Rights, was detained in June after criticizing the Bahraini government
in Twitter messages and in media appearances, including one on Democracy
Now! in May. During his comments, Rajab had criticized U.S. support for
the ruling monarchy.

Nabeel Rajab: "We are very upset about United States’ position with
Bahrain. We are very upset about United States trying to hide the crimes
and trying to hide the violation happening in all the Gulf country.
Because the Gulf country are a rich region, because it’s a big arm
market, because it’s a big oil exporter, we have to suffer for that.
We are victims for being a rich region. We are a victim of being a
region that have an interest with the United States. Unfortunately, the
United States — and the West, as well, comes after United States
— have ignored completely the crime what’s happening here."

 

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