Bahrain: Arbitrary Re-Arrest of Human Rights Defender Naji Fateel

Arbitrary Re-Arrest Following Royal Pardon

The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint initiative by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), has called for immediate intervention regarding the detention of Naji Fateel. Fateel, a co-founder of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR), was taken into custody on August 18, 2026, more than two years after his release under a royal pardon. The organization describes the incident as an arbitrary re-arrest and a clear instance of judicial harassment aimed at silencing a long-standing human rights defender.

Raid and Circumstances of Detention

According to reports received by the Observatory, plain-clothes police officers raided Fateel’s residence in Bani Jamra at approximately 5:45 am while he and his family were asleep. The officers did not present a warrant or explain the grounds for arrest before removing him, allowing only enough time for him to dress before placing him in a police vehicle. His children and mother were reportedly left traumatized by the sudden intrusion. Authorities informed Fateel of the arrest only after he had been removed from the premises, stating it was related to an outstanding financial payment linked to a prior case.

Dispute Over Financial Penalties

The Observatory highlights that Fateel had been actively engaging with authorities regarding this debt. On August 16, 2026, he spoke with officials to document the amount owed with the intention of reaching a settlement. At that time, he was explicitly instructed not to attend the police station but to instead approach the Public Prosecution and the Sentence Enforcement Judge. Despite this guidance, Fateel was transferred from East Riffa Police Station to Jau Prison on August 20, 2026. He is currently held alongside at least three other former political prisoners detained over similar financial liabilities, with reports indicating further arrests on these grounds.

Legal Context and Previous Findings

Fateel’s detention stems from the 2015 Jau Prison case, where he was among 57 defendants convicted in 2016 regarding protests inside the facility. The court ordered collective compensation of approximately USD 1.35 million, with Fateel’s individual share calculated at roughly USD 23,700, payable in monthly installments. Failure to meet these payments reportedly carries the risk of imprisonment. In June 2026, Fateel and others wrote directly to Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and relevant ministers, requesting clarification on how the April 2024 royal pardon affected these outstanding penalties and asking that no one be imprisoned solely for inability to pay.

The Observatory also references its own Opinion No. 65/2022, which cited the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD). The WGAD previously found Fateel’s earlier detention arbitrary due to fair-trial violations, calling for his unconditional release, compensation, and an independent investigation into allegations of torture. The Observatory urges Bahraini authorities to immediately release Fateel, clarify the legal status of pardoned convictions, and ensure defenders can operate without fear of reprisal.

This report was produced by the HuMedia newsroom.