Bahraini psychotherapist Sharifa Swar said she is seeking asylum in the UK after accusing Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the monarch’s son, of being involved in the sale and distribution of narcotics in a middle school in the country.
Dr. Sharifa Swar is a psychotherapist who a couple of years ago went public to expose the involvement of senior officials, including the inspector general at Bahrain’s interior ministry Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and the son of the crown prince Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, calling for an investigation.
Instead, Dr. Swar had charges brought against her. Before her sentencing, Dr. Swar was subjected to a suspicious car accident when a range rover rammed into her parked car, causing fractures in her arm and leg.
Dr. Swar was sentenced to a year in prison on the charges of “disseminating false info, misuse of social media and defamation”. She was also fined 500 Bahraini Dinars (approx 530 USD) 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”. She spent time in prison from Oct 2020 until May 2021.
Lyrica is typically used to treat seizures and provide pain relief. But the drug can also be abused for euphoric effects. Meanwhile, Dr. Swar left Bahrain to avoid persecution after the Bahrain regime has launched defamation campaigns against her.
