Interior Ministry/ statement on Al-Najati case

Manama, Apr 23 (BNA) -- In a statement issued by the Ministry of Interior in regard to the case of Hussain Najati: 1. Biography Hussain Mirza Abdulbaqi Mohammed (Known as Al-Najati) was born in Bahrain in 1960 to Bahraini residents of Iranian nationality. His father was an ID certificate holder issued by the Nationality, Passport and Residence Affairs, which is typically issued to Iranians who are longtime residents of Bahrain). He was born in Iran in 1920 and obtained Bahraini nationality in 2002. His mother was also born in Iran and obtained her Bahraini nationality in 2002. Al-Najati lived in Bahrain until 1977, when, at age 17, went to Najaf to study using a temporary passport. On 20/12/1978 another temporary passport was issued to Najati for travelling to Iraq, Syria and Iran. On 14/9/1980 Najati travelled to Iran using a temporary passport that had been issued on 20/12/1978 to continue his education and remained there until 2001. In May 2001 Najati returned to Bahrain using a ticket issued by Bahrain's Embassy in Iran, accompanied by his two boys and three girls who all were born in Iran and carried Iranian birth certificates. On 10/12/2001 he, his wife and children illegally obtained Bahraini nationality. On 3/11/2010 their status was corrected in regard to the Bahraini nationality. On 6/11/2012 an order was issued to withdraw his nationality. 2. Hussein Al-Najati practiced unclear activities and did not coordinate with the Bahraini authorities. The official authorities later discovered that he was a representative of the Shiite leader Ali Al-Sistani, which was confirmed by prominent Iraqi officials, by Vice President of the Higher Islamic Shiite Council in Lebanon, Sheikh Abdulamir Qabalan, and was also confirmed by his office assistants that he had collected money and distributed it in the name of the clerical reference he represented, which raised doubts about Al-Najati's identity and activities. 3. In order to officially represent a person or an organization, an official letter issued by the competent authorities is required, in which responsibilities and activities intended to be carried out shall be declared. 4. Because of the lack of all above procedures, we decided to deport Hussain Al-Najati in accordance with the requirements of the laws and procedures of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Interior Minister is committed to upholding the law and will take steps necessary to address illegal activities and to maintain Bahrain's security and stability. MJ