Press statement from the family of Hassan Mushaima, the opposition leader sentenced to life imprisonment in Bahrain

This morning, the family went to the Ministry of Interior after two days of no contact with him and repeated attempts to reach the administration of Jaw Prison in Bahrain, which had cut off all communication and visits, claiming by the prison authorities that he was in the military hospital.

The family requested a meeting with the Minister of Interior due to our father’s critical health condition. After further communication with the Ministry of Interior, we were granted an appointment with Sheikh Nasser bin Salman Al Khalifa, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, in the presence of Colonel Adnan Jumaa Bahr, Director of Jaw Prison. During the meeting, the family explained our father’s critical health condition, stating that he may require surgery, rehabilitation, and physical therapy (according to what they were told). We emphasized that the long years he has spent in prison, especially recently, have been a major factor in the deterioration of his health due to the lack of a suitable environment and adequate care.

For his part, Sheikh Nasser denied any negligence in his healthcare, asserting that our father had been transferred to Muharraq specifically for treatment. He affirmed that the Ministry of Interior is not responsible for medical decisions, but rather the Ministry of Health, and that he did not have detailed information about our father’s health condition. Colonel Adnan then ordered a special visit for us at the military hospital, as well as a meeting with Dr. Mariam Al-Jalahma, CEO of Government Hospitals.

On behalf of the family, we explained to the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior that our father’s health is deteriorating rapidly and steadily, requiring immediate action before something tragic happens. Furthermore, withholding his medical file from us since his arrest prevents us from checking on his condition and closely monitoring his health.

Two days have passed without any news of our father, and we are anxiously awaiting any information about his health or any news at all. We are also waiting for the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior’s order to allow us to visit him to be implemented. While we await the meeting with Dr. Mariam Al-Jalahma, CEO of Government Hospitals, we emphasize a crucial point: the Ministry of Interior is the executive body authorized to grant or deny permission and is responsible for the environment in which our father is being held. We emphasize that our father’s critical health condition necessitates his immediate release to enable him to receive appropriate care among his family members, and that any leniency or negligence in this decision puts his life at real risk and holds the concerned authorities responsible, both humanely and morally.