Blogger Mahmood Al-Yousif has been released from custody after he being questioned by authorities in Bahrain, it was announced on Friday.
Bahrain News Agency reported the release, citing an official source, but no further details were given.
The arrest of the internet blogger, as part of a crackdown by Bahrain security forces, was criticised earlier this week by the United States.
“We’re deeply concerned about his arrest. He’s a prominent and respected blogger,” said Mark Toner, a State Department spokesman on Wednesday.
“We’re also concerned about reports of detention of two other Internet activists who have expressed their views on recent events in Bahrain,” Toner said.
Yousif was already being sued by Bahrain’s Minister for Municipal and Agricultural Affairs Mansur bin Rajab for libel. The court case opened on April 17 but was swiftly adjourned to May 8.
The blog, called Mahmood’s Den, describes itself as “an Arab man’s attempt at bridging the cultural gap. Trying to make a difference, failing a lot, succeeding once in a while”.
Bahrain has seen protests since mid-February, when thousands in the Shiite-majority country took to the streets demanding political reform.
At least 24 people have been killed in a month of protests, Bahrain’s Interior Minister Rashed bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa said Tuesday.
Follow us on
