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Salam for Democracy and Human Rights (SALAM DHR) is following with deep concern the recent developments surrounding the death of the young sailor Abdullah Hassan Yusuf at sea in Bahrain. This includes contradictions between the official accounts provided by the Ministry of Interior and the Public Prosecution, on the one hand, and the disregard for the testimonies and statements of witnesses, on the other. SALAM DHR also expresses concern over the premature issuance of charges before the official investigation, search, and inquiry processes have concluded.
On 23 October 2025, the Public Prosecution issued a statement that can be described as expedient, unprofessional, and biased in favour of the Ministry of Interior’s narrative. The statement, made by the Deputy Head of the Muharraq Governorate Prosecution, stated: “When the defendants were ordered to stop, they tried to flee, at which point their boat veered toward the Coast Guard patrol vessel and collided with it.” (1)
The Prosecution ordered a search for the missing person and the detention of two defendants, while releasing the minor Abdullah Al-Bahrani (16 years old). It did not order the detention or investigation of Ministry of Interior personnel who were aboard the Coast Guard vessel. The Public Prosecution, from its first announcements on the case, have demonstrated clear bias in favour of the Ministry of Interior, which undermines its neutrality and independence, both of which are essential to any prosecutorial authority. (2)
Accordingly, SALAM DHR calls upon the Supreme Judicial Council to appoint an independent body to ensure the proper handling of the case, entrusting it with all investigative procedures, including investigating the Public Prosecution itself for suspicions of collusion, negligence, and the concealment or falsification of evidence. It also calls for the protection of forensic evidence and transparency before public opinion, especially considering two conflicting narratives.
According to the testimony of those who were with the victim, Abdullah Hassan Yusuf, the Coast Guard vessel rammed and mounted their boat, causing Abdullah to fall overboard. (3)
On the other hand, on October 23, 2025, a Coast Guard officer, Major Talal Ajlan, gave a video statement claiming that the victim’s boat collided with the Coast Guard vessel after cutting the rope and losing control. However, in another contradiction, the Public Prosecution denied a collision occurred in a statement dated October 28, 2025, stating:
“The investigation established from the inspection that the boat was completely free of any damage or traces indicating a collision between the patrol boat and the vessel, except for minor scratches on a limited area of the Coast Guard boat.”
This clearly contradicts the defendants’ statement that the Coast Guard vessel approached at high speed, collided with them, and mounted their boat, resulting in the victim’s fall. (4)
Both the Public Prosecution and the Ministry of Interior have failed to maintain neutrality. Furthermore, the Ministry of Interior declared publicly, on November 3, 2025, and before the investigation and any court ruling were completed, the following:
“Those responsible for the citizen’s death, who were with him on the boat, have been referred to the Public Prosecution for legal action.” (5)
Declaring responsibility for Abdullah’s death before completing the investigation or officially including the eyewitness accounts in the investigation records is a clear violation of the presumption of innocence and the principles of justice and necessitates holding the Ministry legally accountable. Moreover, the failure to investigate or summon the Coast Guard patrol involved in the incident as suspects entrenches impunity and undermines the principles of justice, transparency, and objective investigation.
It is also important to recall international maritime law standards, which outline a graduated approach in dealing with seafarers, even in cases of violations, through measures such as visual and verbal warnings before resorting to any form of force. This is in line with United Nations principles prohibiting the arbitrary use of force and the UN Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials regarding proportional use of force. (6) (7)
SALAM DHR stresses the importance of safeguarding all critical evidence from tampering or concealment, particularly the autopsy and technical reports, which must be made public. A forensic medical committee, independent of state authorities, should supervise all autopsy procedures.
One of the most important pieces of evidence is the video footage of the incident. Video footage of the incident released by the Ministry of Interior appears to be selectively edited and is misleading, constituting a potential criminal offence. Therefore, SALAM DHR demands the release of the complete, unedited video recordings on the same official platforms that previously aired the selective clips.
SALAM DHR also calls for the protection of witnesses in this case from reprisals, especially after they publicly testify, which may expose them to retaliation. SALAM DHR expresses particular concern that the Ministry of Interior’s recent statement, which labelled the witnesses as “the ones responsible”, is an act of reprisal against their testimony, which was made public through phone calls from prison and shared on social media.
In conclusion, SALAM DHR affirms that justice can only be achieved in this case through a transparent, serious, and independent investigation that reveals the full truth and holds all those involved accountable, regardless of their official or institutional positions. SALAM DHR also calls on the international community and relevant UN mechanisms to closely monitor the case to ensure justice for the victim and his family, and to prevent the recurrence of such violations in the future.