Detained fishermen – and famous bodybuilder Sami Al Haddad who was arrested during a weekend angling jaunt with friends – have been released by Qatar as intense diplomatic efforts, significantly on the annual Bahrain Diplomatic Day, and community campaigning finally paid off.
The men were flown from Doha to Oman yesterday and are expected to arrive today at Bahrain International Airport as their much-relieved families and friends prepare a warm welcome for them.
Information
The Interior Ministry had earlier revealed that following information received from the Foreign Ministry, several Bahrainis and expatriates based in the kingdom, who had been arrested by Qatari coastguards, were free to go home.
Although the exact number has not been announced, among those released was fisherman Habib Abbas, a father-of-seven, who had been locked up for more than two months.
His plight was highlighted at a seminar held last weekend by the Professional Fishermen Society with the support of the Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society (BHRWS) and the Bahrain Journalists Association, as reported in the GDN.
Campaign
GDN Media also helped spearhead a print, online and social media initiative to campaign for the release of Bahrain’s bodybuilding champion who was snatched by the Qatari coastguard along with a group of friends in Bahraini waters.
#FreeSami_GDNsays gained huge support from readers and visitors from home and abroad.
The newly-released Bahrainis are expected to arrive today at the Bahrain International Airport.
“The Bahrainis who were arrested by Qatari Coast and Border Guard at sea on January 8 were released yesterday, along with fishermen Habib Abbas who was arrested on December 3,” stated the Ministry.
It added that Qatar continues to impound 50 Bahrain-registered boats.
“The Bahrain Embassy in Oman is assisting the citizens and, upon arrival in Bahrain, their statements will be recorded by the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science to know the circumstances of their arrest for possible legal proceedings.”
Mr Al Haddad posing at the 2013 Mr Olympia
Meanwhile, news of the release of Mr Al Haddad and others was warmly welcomed by his close friends, and it is understood that he has already spoken with his anxious family.
“We are thankful to our government and all entities, including the GDN, for their support in this case,” said Mohammed Sabah who has been a close friend of the bodybuilder since primary school.
“I will be at the airport like many athletes and supporters to welcome him in a socially-distanced way.”
Mr Sabah, also a veteran bodybuilder who has competed at international events with Mr Al Haddad, said the campaign in Bahrain has further helped secure the release of other sailors, fishermen and recreational anglers caught up in the controversy.
“Some Bahraini fishermen and sailors who were detained by Qatar are also being freed based on what we are told and we welcome their release as this opens a new chapter of relations,” Mr Sabah added.
Another close friend, Bahraini Waheed Habib, said Mr Al Haddad called his family from Muscat.
“This is a big day for all of us because Sami is finally coming home,” said Mr Habib. “We are excited to welcome him back.”
Mr Al Haddad is an International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) PRO bodybuilder who has won international championships, including the Mr Olympia amateur accolade in 2011 before turning professional.
He made history in 2018 by winning gold in the IFBB Pro Spain event.
Following this, he was presented with the first passport to be given to a citizen with ‘professional athlete’ listed as a profession by His Majesty King Hamad.
The Bahrain Olympic Committee on Tuesday sent a letter to International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach to help release Mr Al Haddad and called for separation of politics from sports but it declined to get involved.
“The IOC is not commenting on territorial disputes amongst sovereign states,” a spokesman said.
BHRWS, supporting the unlucky seafarers, said yesterday it felt relieved with the final outcome. Its secretary general Faisal Fulad said: “Bahrain’s civil society, media efforts and supporters on social media have played a major role in raising awareness about this case.
“We will be waiting at the airport, along with fishermen and their families, at the airport to celebrate the joyous occasion of their return.”
The Professional Fishermen Society (PFS) president Jassim Al Jerran yesterday said government efforts proved fruitful. “This is a happy day for the families of the fishermen,” said Mr Al Jerran.
“The authorities have worked hard to push this through and we hope for more success in the future for us and for the GCC.”
Hundreds of fishermen have been caught by Qatari Coastguard since an International Court of Justice ruling in 2001 defining the borders of Bahrain and Qatar.
Stopped
Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa said last month that over the past 10 years, Qatar had stopped 650 Bahraini boats and 2,153 fishermen.
It is hoped the release will calm stormy waters in the Arabian Gulf. As reported in the GDN, His Majesty King Hamad has expressed his keenness to promote GCC unity and herald new horizons of dialogue and joint work.
The GCC Summit, held recently Saudi Arabia, has ushered in a new phase of collective action, Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani said.
sandy@gdn.com.bh
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