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Karim Fakhrawi

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Abdulkarim Ali Ahmed Fakhrawi
Evidence of Fakhrawi's torture was posted to the internet after his death.
Born1962
Bahrain
Died12 April 2011
Manama, Bahrain
NationalityBahraini
Occupation(s)Publisher, bookstore owner, newspaper owner
Notable creditAl-Wasat

Karim Fakhrawi, also known as Abdulkarim Ali Ahmed Fakhrawi, (1962? – 12 April 2011)[1] was the co-founder of Al-Wasat, considered one of the more popular newspapers in Bahrain by winning numerous awards. He died while in the custody of Bahraini officials under mysterious circumstances. The second professional media worker to die during the Bahraini uprising, he was one of three journalists killed.[2][3][4][5]

Personal

Karim Fakhrawi was a Persian Shi'ite Muslim (Ajam) who lived in Manama.[6] He was a member of an opposition group Al-Wefaq in the Bahrain political uprising.[7][8] He co-founded Al-Wasat in 2002, and it was in the process of being banned by the Bahraini government for "trying to harm Bahrain’s stability and security and disseminating false information that undermined the country’s international image and reputation." [1]

Career

Karim Fakhrawi was one of the co-founders of a popular independent newspaper Al-Wasat. It is the only independent newspaper in Bahrain. Al-Wasat has won multiple awards, such as the UNICEF regional award for electronic media, and it is the 15th strongest MENA newspaper on the internet, according to Forbes Middle East. Fakhrawi was a local book publisher, as well as owner of one of the biggest bookstores in Bahrain. He was a member of Al-Wefaq, the largest opposition political party in Bahrain.[3][9]

Death

The uprising has largely centered around the Manama area where Fakhrawi lived, worked, and died.

Fakhrawi was taken into custody April 5, 2011 when he was going to complain that police were threatening to demolish his home.[3] He was accused of "deliberate news fabrication and falsification" by the Bahraini authorities, and the government also said it would file charges against three employees as well as deporting two others.[4] Fakhrawi was in police custody for one week before his death and was one of many who died while in the custody of the local police. Bahraini police told the media that Karim died of kidney failure, but photos later leaked revealing bruises and indicating torture and police brutality.[3][4][10] The evidence was discovered in the process of burial, when his clothes were removed and his torture marks were documented and released.[1]

Context

In February 2011, the people of Bahrain started to protest in a wave known as the Arab Spring. The nationwide uprising in Bahrain is between the majority Shi'ite Muslims and some Sunni Muslims against the minority Sunni government.[11] Since February 15, 2011, more than 80 anti-government protesters there have died, including four protesters that were in police custody at the time of their deaths.[9] The anti-government political party, Al-Wefaq has listed 453 protesters as apprehended, but a spokesperson for the group thinks the number is up towards 600 people arrested by the government.[7][12]

Impact

Zakariya Rashid Hassan al-Ashiri was the first to die in the uprising.[13] Fakhrawi was the second journalist and the fourth person to die in government custody. In response to the two journalists who died, Irina Bokova, who is director-general of UNESCO, called for an investigation looking into the death.[2][14] One year later, Ahmed Ismail Hassan, who was a citizen journalist uploading videos, was shot while taking videos of a protest and died.[5]

Reactions

Fakhrawi's body was taken to the Hoora district to be buried when his clothes were removed for cleansing and his torture marks discovered.[1] Videos and pictures documenting his wounds from torture were posted to the internet.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Co-founder of independent newspaper dies in custody in Bahrain, some journalists freed in Syria and Libya". Reporters Without Borders. 18 April 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Bahrain: Fourth person dies in police custody as human rights groups allege torture". Los Angeles Times. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d "Karim Fakhrawi". Committee to Protect Journalist. Committee to Protect Journalist. 12 April 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  4. ^ a b c ""Al-Wasat" founder dies in custody in Bahrain". IFEX. IFEX. 15 April 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  5. ^ a b "Ahmed Ismail Hassan". Committee to Protect Journalist. Committee to Protect Journalist. 31 March 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  6. ^ "Funeral Procession of Martyr Abdul Karim Fakhrawi To be Held on April 13". ABNA. April 13, 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  7. ^ a b "Opposition businessman dies in Bahrain prison". Reuters. 12 April 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  8. ^ "Bahrain opposition figure 'dies in custody'". Al Jazeera. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  9. ^ a b "Bahrain to prosecute civil servants over protests". Boston Globe. 17 April 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  10. ^ "Bahrain police go on trial over death of blogger". BBC News. 12 January 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  11. ^ Jeremy Bowen (12 December 2012). "Bahrain tensions a trigger for Gulf turmoil". BBC News. Retrieved 9 September 2013. The first protesters also included a fair proportion of Sunnis, who were fed up with the way the country has been run.
  12. ^ "Funeral Procession of Martyr Abdul Karim Fakhrawi To be Held on April 13". Ahlul Bayt. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  13. ^ "Zakariya Rashid Hassan al-Ashiri". Committee to Protect Journalist. 9 April 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  14. ^ "Director-General calls for investigation into deaths in detention of media professionals in Bahrain". UNESCO. April 21, 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2012.

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