Bahraini Activist Detained in Armenia

Fadhel Radhi escapes prosecution in Bahrain, is arrested in Armenia

Armenian authorities have detained Fadhel Radhi, a twenty five year old Bahrani, upon his arrival at Yerevan airport on January 1, 2016.

Bahrain al Youm reports that Fadhel Radhi was sentenced to seven years imprisonment following his active role in the mass protests that erupted in the country in 2011.

Bahraini authorities issued a red warning to the International Criminal Police Organization (ICPC) demanding that Fadhel Radhi be extradited back to Bahrain over accusations of attempted murder, illegal circulation of explosives, damage to public and private property, mass disorder and terrorism.

A statement issued by the Finnish "Helsinki Citizen" Organization expressed "deep concern" over Armenia’s determination to hand Radhi over fearing he will be exposed to “torture and ill-treatment” in the event of his extradition to Bahrain.

A number of human rights groups have appealed to the Armenian authorities to validate that the charges against Fadhel Radhi in Bahrain are in line with international human rights laws before handing him over.

Bahrain's record on human rights has been described by Human Rights Watch as "dismal", and having "deteriorated sharply in the latter half of 2010". The crackdown on protesters during the 2011 Arab Spring has brought further human rights complaints. Despite repeated government claims of improvement over the course of several years, Human Rights Watch reports "torture is a regular part of the legal process in Bahrain”.