Thread by @MARYAMALKHAWAJA

There's a developing big story that will also bring in the relationship between the #UK and #Bahrain; whether the former is willing to extradite to an oppressive torturing regime - tricky for the UK cuz also involves the monarch's son..
Let's start with the background: a thread

Dr. Sharifa Swar is a psychotherapist who a couple of years ago went public to expose the spread of the use of the Lyrica drug in a middle school in #Bahrain. She talked about how there were high officials involved and called for an investigation

This was also tied into sex trafficking. She exposed this based on conversations she was having with young girls, who were threatened by those selling the drug in the schools. She was summoned and she asked that the minister of interior be present so she can show him the evidence

The now deceased prime minister and ruling family member (and one of the most corrupt and violent of them) said there would be an investigation to calm ppl down. Instead, Dr. Swar had charges brought against her

Before her sentencing, Dr. Swar was also subjected to a suspicious car accident when a range rover rammed into her parked car, causing fractures in her arm and leg. She was then sentenced to a year in prison and fined 200 Bahraini Dinars (approx 530 USD)

This sentence was on the charges of disseminating false info, misuse of social media and defamation. She had to pay 500 BD for a suspended sentence until the appeal. She was then shocked to find new charges against her with the charge of "covering up a rape"

Dr. Swar spent time in prison from Oct 2020 until May 2021. She left #Bahrain to avoid getting thrown back in prison, and yesterday she spoke at an event, where she named the monarch's son, Khalid Hamad Alkhalifa, as being the top person involved in the selling of the Lyrica drug

She said that the head of the group targeting young girls for selling Lyrica and for sex trafficking is Khalid Alkhalifa. Dr. Swar is seeking asylum in the #UK, and as anyone can imagine, the #Bahrain regime is up in arms, and launching defamation campaigns now

To us #Bahrain-i's this doesn't necessarily come as a surprise, there's always been whispers about the ruling family controlling the drug trade, protecting drug dealers, providing and cracking down based on price and profit.. What's rare is to see it said out loud..

Local publication @BahrainMirror has done great coverage on this case bahrainmirror.com/news/60815.html.
The regime will likely demand Dr. Swar be extradited to #Bahrain, will the #UK refuse, and protect Dr. Swar from any potential threats to her person? Remains to be seen...
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