Human Rights Watch urges Bahrain authorities to investigate Shiite activists’ torture claims

HRW urges Bahrain investigate torture claims

CAIRO — Human Rights Watch has urged Bahraini authorities to immediately look into allegations of torture made by four Shiite activists in detention since mid-August.

In a statement Wednesday, the group said Abdul-Jalil al-Singace, one of the detainees, told prosecutors that his captors beat him on his fingers with a hard instrument, slapped him around, and pulled and twisted his nipples and ears with tongs.

Prosecutor Ali al-Buainain on Friday banned media from reporting on the arrests saying the investigations “require secrecy to uncover the truth and preserve public order.”

The four have not been charged, but their arrest falls within an ongoing crackdown after a series of Shiite-led protests accusing the government of discrimination turned violent.