(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - 20 year-old poet Ayat al-Gormezi who had a one-year prison sentence unjustly imposed on her 12 June 2011 for reading a poem released this afternoon.
Ayat AlQormazi is now a national hero and an icon of the peoples revolution in Bahrain. Her powerful words will not be forgotten.
Bahrain’s National Safety Court of First Instance claimed in sentencing Ayat that she was guilty of “inciting hatred of the regime and of being involved in a rally to commit crimes.” Masked police arrested Ayat at her home on 30 March for reciting a poem critical of the monarchy during a pro-democracy rally in the capital Manama in February.
On June 21, after being tortured by Bahraini security forces, Qurmezi apologized to the king and the prime minister on state television.
No crime deserves such debasing and inhumane treatment -- and certainly not the "crime" of reciting a poem, no matter how critical it is of the ruling government or its leader.
The poet’s family was pleased with Ayat’s freedom, but they could not hide their fear that she might be re-arrested as her release was not a result of a pardon or an appeal against her one-year-sentence.
Many Bahrainis from different cities took to the streets to celebrate Qurmezi's freedom. She is now a celebrity among anti-government protesters, who say her powerful words will not be forgotten.
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