Bahrain frees scores of prisoners after royal pardon

Scores of prisoners were released from a Bahrain prison on Thursday following a royal pardon of more than 450 inmates, including activists detained during Shia-led protests over a decade ago.

Videos shared on social media showed emotional reunions outside Jau prison, where black-clad women awaited the release of their sons and husbands.

King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa issued the royal decree pardoning 457 inmates to promote “social cohesion” and mark his 25th year on the throne, according to the Bahrain News Agency (BNA). This comes five months after a previous pardon of over 1,500 inmates, the largest in years.

The Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) confirmed that political prisoners were among those released. Sayed Alwadaei, BIRD’s advocacy director, reported that around 100 inmates had been freed so far, describing the pardon as “a significant step forward.”

Among those released was Bahraini dissident Ali Sanqoor, famously photographed over a decade ago standing topless in front of incoming tanks during protests.

The pardon follows recent calls from three independent UN rights experts for Bahrain to ensure the rights of inmates after allegations of harsh conditions at Jau prison, including lack of medical attention and restricted access to food and water, claims denied by the Bahraini government.