Charges dropped against Ottawa man in Bahrain
Federal government trying to return Naser al-Raas to Canada
Authorities in Bahrain have dropped all charges against an Ottawa man who was previously convicted in connection to the Arab Spring protests.
Naser al-Raas, 29, was jailed in Bahrain for a time and was facing a five-year prison sentence after he was convicted in October 2011 of illegal assembly, rioting and incitement.
He appealed the charges and was released on bail Feb. 6. The appeal was granted Thursday and all charges were dropped, his fiancée and the Canadian government confirmed.
"He is free again. Thank God this nightmare has ended finally," said al-Raas's fiancée Zainab Ahmed.
Ahmed said al-Raas still does not have his identification or belongings, but said they expect to have them returned. When the items are returned, Ahmed said the couple would immediately return to Ottawa.
Diane Ablonczy, the federal Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs) said in a statement the government is in contact with al-Raas and plans to help him return to Canada.
"We would like to express our appreciation to the Bahraini authorities for, in the case of Mr. Al-Raas, applying the recommendations made by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry to ensure, among other things, free political expression and protection from arbitrary detention," the statement read.
Al-Raas had been living and working in Kuwait but last April went to Bahrain to visit his sisters and fiancée. He was then accused of joining the demonstrations.
The Kuwait-born Canadian citizen was arrested when trying to board a plane to return to Kuwait at the Bahrain International Airport. His passport was then confiscated.
Al-Raas claimed he was tortured for a month last year for a similar offence and wanted all charges dropped, adding he was also deprived of medication he needs for a heart and lung condition.