Sir, – After reading the letter “Supporting medics in Bahrain”, (October 3rd) I’d like to note that the detention of some medical professionals in Salmaniya Medical Complex was due to evidence that they abused their positions, violating the ethics and regulations of their profession, including: promoting the change of the political regime by force and through illegal means, illegal detention of persons, inciting sectarian hatred, destruction of public property, calling for, organising and participating in illegal demonstrations.
It is worth mentioning that the charges against them were based on testimonies of witnesses, and any available physical and technical evidence of the case. Notably, all charges related to the freedom of opinion and of expression were dropped (as requested by public prosecution during the trial to drop those charges).
It also worth pointing out that the Bahraini Independent Commission of Inquiry report, headed by Prof Cherif Bassiouni, documents some of the violations committed by medical personnel, as indicated in the paragraphs (834, 837, 838, 846, and 847). – Yours, etc,