Bahrain Mirror- Exclusive: Chair of the European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights expressed concern over the reports about deteriorating health condition of prominent human rights defender Nabeel Rajab, demanding his immediate release.

Pier Antonio Panzeri, Chair of the EP Subcommittee on Human Rights, said that Nabeel Rajab has been held in pre-trial detention for over a year. During much of this year, he has been held in solitary confinement. The charges brought against him could incur up to 18 years in prison.

He added that the fact that Rajab has not been able to communicate with his family since last week is worrying, considering that his detention violates his right to freedom of expression. Panzeri called on the Bahraini authorities to grant lawyers and family members access to Nabeel Rajab, to drop all charges against him and to free him immediately.

Arabic Version