Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry

Chapter VI — Allegations of Human Rights Violations Against the Person
993. A forensic report confirmed the cause of death and concluded that the
deceased had dark red bruises across the body but mostly around the back of
the hands and right eye. His wrists had red flaking marks because of
handcuffing and these marks were of recent origin.
994. The Commission received information that the deceased was
subjected to torture. A witness alleged that the deceased handed himself to
the police on 5 April 2011 after the police had raided his house several times
searching for him. After the deceased’s death, Bahrain TV broadcasted a
confession that he had made.
995. The MoI conducted an investigation into this case. On 25 May 2011,
the MoI referred charges against five personnel to the military court. Two of
the accused are charged with manslaughter, while the other three are charged
with failing to report a crime. All five are charged with engaging in action
contrary to military dignity.
996. The death of Mr Ali is attributed to torture at the Dry Dock Detention
Centre. Mr Ali was in the custody of the MoI at the time of his death.
Case No. 24 - Zakariya Rashid Hassan Al Asheri 528
997. At 09:00 on 9 April 2011, Zakariya Rashid Hassan Al Asheri was
pronounced dead. The death certificate states that the cause of death was
severe heart failure and cessation of breathing following complications from
sickle cell anaemia.
998. A forensic report confirmed the cause of death and concluded that the
deceased had large bruises on his back and thighs and smaller bruises on his
face and hands.
999. The Commission received information that the deceased was arrested
on 2 April 2011 by security forces who entered his family home by breaking
down the door. The deceased was allegedly tortured at the CID. On 9 April
2011, he was transferred to Dry Dock Detention Centre. He was subjected to
torture between 6 and 9 April 2011, and died from torture in Room Number 1.
Relatives learned about his death from the MoI website on 9 April. After this,
relatives attempted to contact the police station close to their village but
received no answer. They then contacted the MoI who told them that the
deceased had passed away in his sleep as a result of sickle cell anaemia. The
deceased’s relatives stated that the deceased had never suffered from that
disease. The Commission also received a statement from a witness who was
detained in the same cell as the deceased. The witness stated that all the
detainees in the same cell were blindfolded and handcuffed, and forced to lie
on their stomachs. On one of the mornings, the deceased began to experience
hallucinations or confusion, whereby he began banging on the door shouting
his name. The prison guards shouted at him to be quiet and when he did not
comply, they entered his cell. The witness heard the deceased being beaten
and he heard him scream after each beating. The witness then heard a
shuffling noise after which the deceased’s shouts became muffled. The
528 One statement provided to the Commission.
243