Adel Flaifel to attend Bahrain’s “National Dialogue”

Only when Bahraini people thought that the political situation wouldn’t get any worse, the Government surprised everyone with a new stunt. It is now confirmed that the infamous torturer of Bahrain Adel Flaifel will be a participant in the national dialogue.

In early June The King of Bahrain Hamad Bin Isa alKhalifa called on a national dialogue, a step forward, the opposition initially welcomed with good intentions thinking that the Crown Prince, as the king mentioned previously, will be leading the dialogue. Observers, journalists, opposition parties and citizens were stunned to learn that MP Khalifa Aldehrani (Primary school drop out) is the person the king nominated to lead the table.

Adel Flaifel in brief:

·      The colonel served under the command of his master Ian Henderson.  He also was his personal interpreter.

·      In 1985 he tied 2 young Shia women to a pole in the police headquarters and was beating them insensible with his fists. Was even reported in the Western media.

·      He performed systematic torture the 90s unrest, Flaifel personally tortured opposition leaders such as Shiekh Abdul Ameer alJamri.

·      Recently, during the 14 February revolution, he was the only one who called publicly to arm Bahraini Sunnis to attack Shia. (Specifically- minute 3:09)

He was famous for being brutal and harsh against prisoners in 1994 when people were calling for the return of the 1973 constitution and the parliament that Sheikh Issa bin Salman alKhalifa dissolved in 1975. He was the man that no prisoner wanted to be interrogated by, he was proud of it.

He fled the country in early 2002 when he was was released from his duties in the police forces in connection with a “financial fraud” he committed. As a matter of fact, he ran away after pressure mounted from human rights organisations to bring him to justice. Bahrainis demanded trail for the torturer but in retun for his crimes King Hamad granted him amnesty in 2002.

Now he is a key participant in “shaping Bahrain’s future”. I personally consider this as an insult to every single Shia in Bahrain (over 70% of the population). Furthermore, it is alKhalifa way in humiliating the opposition who are considering participating in this dialogue. Mental image- Ali Salman sitting across Adel Flaifel. Horrible.

Why am I against this Dialogue:

Just look at this list of who is attending it! 

• It stinks of betrayal- we experienced it first hand, over and over. Aljamri times when the king promised reforms, then again with the National Charter, then again in the Parliament. What makes this dialogue any different?

• alKhalifa are not to be trusted- over the past 200 years they have never kept a promise. What makes this promise with "reforms" any difference?

• If this was a genuine dialogue, how come there are no members of the ruling family? Our problem is with the ruling family, not with other group/sect of citizens. 

• Moreover, if this was genuine, why the Saudi troops are still in their barracks in Bahrain? Shouldn't they just go back home?

• Our sisters and brothers are in jail being tortured up until this moment. They are being fired from their jobs everyday. They are being tried before military courts till now.

• Hassan Mushaime, Abdulwahab Hussain, Ibrahim Sharief, Adbulhadi Alkhawaja and co should be present on the table.

• And last, the provocative move in including Falifel in this!