Officials in Bahrain have prevented the wife and infant son of a London-based dissident from leaving the country to join him. It is the latest example of a crackdown by the Gulf state, which has been criticised by human rights groups for imposing travel bans and arresting its opponents. Maya Foa, a director of human rights group Reprieve, said: “Reprieve is seriously concerned at Bahrain’s reprisals against Sayed’s family for a peaceful protest in London. Freedom of expression might be banned in Bahrain, but the British government cannot allow Bahrain to punish people who demonstrate in the UK against human rights abuses such as torture and executions. Duaa and her baby must be allowed to leave Bahrain immediately and return to their home in London with Sayed.”

Source: The Guardian October 29, 2016 17:15 UTC