A Shia cleric and two mosques' administrators were detained by the Saudi authorities

A Shia cleric and two mosques’ administrators were detained by the Saudi authorities

01 November, 2010 11:46

A Shia cleric and two mosques’ administrators were detained by the Saudi authorities

Saudi police arrested since Tuesday a cleric and two other people from Qatif city on allegations of establishing a memorial ceremony on the anniversary of the death of the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran Al-imam Al-Khomeini.

According to the Shiite News Saudi authorities detained Sheikh Saeed al Bahhar, the imam of Imam Reza Mosque in Tarot Island, and the administrator of the mosque Mr. Mohammad Hassan al Hubail.

In a similar event, Saudi police also arrested the administrator of Imam Al-Hadi Mosque in the village of Sanabis, Mr. Hussien al Dubaisy.

Family sources said that the three arrests were under the pretext of establishing a memorial day to commemorate the death of the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran Al-Imam Al-Khomeini.

According to some sources attributed to Sheikh Saeed Albahhar and some people known to be close to him, indicated that he had never organized or participated in any memorial service of that kind recently.

Sheikh al Bahhar was called in on Monday by the Saudi police at Tarot Island police station and was subjected to a lengthy investigation before being released on the same day.

However, on the following day after the first call, he was called in again accompanied by Mr. Hussien al Dubaisy and Mr. Mohammad Hassan al Hubail , where they were all taken to custody at Al-Qatif Police Station. Since then, they still remain in the detention center.

According to family sources, arrest warrants were issued by the office of the Prince Mohammed bin Fahd, the governor of the eastern province of Saudi Arabia.

In addition, many observers noticed the ambiguity and contradiction that surrounds the circumstances and justification for the arrests.

It is noteworthy to indicate that Sheikh Albahhar was just grant a passport since few days ago after the travel ban against him that lasted more than fourteen years.