Mohammed Jawad Hameed, a prominent human rights and environmental activist who is also a musician and singer, remains in prison two months after his arrest for posting on social media his shock and grief over the killing of citizen Mohammed Al-Mousawi as a result of torture in prison.

On 07 April 2026, the Cybercrime Directorate, which operates under he General Directorate of Anti-Corruption, Economic and Electronic Security, summoned Jawad to appear before it, and he was taken into detention. This Directorate operates under the wider umbrella of the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science. At first it was not known why he was arrested, and he was held incommunicado, until he was transferred to Dry Dock Prison.

He was only allowed one phone call and there was concern that he was not receiving his medication for chronic illness.

His arrest was part of a systematic campaign of arrests carried out by the authorities in Bahrain, which included the detention of hundreds of citizens, including religious figures and internet activists. 

On 15 April 2026, Jawad was brought before the Public Prosecution, where the prosecutor decided to extend his detention for an additional two weeks on charges of “hatred of the regime.” He criticised the death of Al-Mousawi, whose family learned of his death on 27 March 2026, when they received a call from the authorities. His body bore the marks of torture.

On 16 June 2026, the general prosecution renewed the detention of Jawad.

The Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) reiterates its call on the Bahraini government to immediately and unconditionally release all prisoners of conscience, including prominent environmental activist and artist Mohammed Jawad Hameed.

Authorities should guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in Bahrain are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals, and free of all restrictions including judicial harassment.