Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Britain: Bahraini Opponent Sentenced 12 Years in Prison for Pedophilia | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Police form a line after arresting demonstrators on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court, on the anniversary of the Citizens United decision, in Washington, January 20, 2012. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst


London- Bahraini opponent Kassem Hashem has been sentenced 12 years in prison for being accused of rape, physical violence and pedophilia. Despite his allegations of being a human rights activist and a religious person who disapproves the regime in the Gulf, the pieces of evidence against him were strong, knowing that Hashem is an asylum seeker in Britain.

Sources close to the matter told Asharq Al-Awsat that Hashem was prominent among 14 February figures in Bahrain. He called earlier for toppling the royal regime in Bahrain and was given asylum in Britain. Later on, he was given a British passport and continued to slam the Gulf kings and rulers after arriving to the British lands.

Judicial sources reported that it has been proven that Hashem was involved in four pedophilia and seven harassment cases.

In Bahrain, Hashem is also wanted for offering military training for terrorist purposes and is sentenced 15 years in prison in absentia.

Sources stated that Hashem is linked to Abdulraouf al-Shayeb, who is sentenced five years in prison and is detained in a British prison for charges of terrorism. Shayeb is one of 14 February figures as well and is accused of planning and preparing for smuggling weapons to Bahrain and holding military training programs abroad. Both Hashem and Shayeb were granted asylum in Britain; this raised questions on how the British Interior Ministry allowed them to work under the cover of human right activities even after committing these murders.

Shayb also considers himself a human rights activist but he concealed the other extremist aspect of his life. Authorities found pictures of him beside a power point slideshow that provides instructions on gathering weapons and best positions to shoot from a dragunov.