BAHRAINI TERROR SUSPECTS END HUNGER STRIKE

UNCLAS MANAMA 001146 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA FRONT OFFICE: DAS PDIBBLE AND NEA/ARP: TWILLIAMS/DBERNS LONDON FOR ETHAN GOLDRICH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER BA SUBJECT: BAHRAINI TERROR SUSPECTS END HUNGER STRIKE REF: MANAMA 1120 ¶1. The six detainees held by the GOB on suspicion of conspiracy to commit terrorist acts (see ref) ended their hunger strike after four days. The detainees' lawyer Abdullah Hashim was quoted in the Bahrain Tribune on July 19 that the six agreed to end the hunger strike due to the deteriorating health of detainees Yasser Kamal and Moheiddin Khan and because civil societies and human rights groups publicly expressed support of the detainees' efforts to prove their innocence. Hashim told PolOFF on July 18 the GOB allowed detainees' families visitation rights but has denied visitation requests from the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights. ¶2. Hashim told PolOFF on July 18 that he anticipates a march in support of his clients to take place on July 23 following Friday sermons, but would not identify the organizers. He also said that any protest must be carried out legally and peacefully. If not, Hashim is convinced that a violent protest will influence the case against his clients and he would be forced to publicly condemn the march. WILLIAMSON