Bahraini Psychotherapist Exposes Ruling Family’s Role in Drug, Sex Trafficking

An exiled Bahraini psychotherapist who exposed the role of the ruling al Khalifa family’s role in drug and sex trafficking in the Gulf Kingdom is now seeking asylum in the UK. Given the UK’s close ties to the Bahraini royal family, will they grant her asylum or send her back to Bahrain where she is likely to face severe punishment for telling the truth?

Dr. Sharifa Swar, who holds a PhD in psychotherapy, announced she is seeking asylum in the UK to avoid languishing in a Bahraini prison.

Her fears for her freedom and safety come after accusing Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Bahraini monarch’s son, of being the top person involved in the illicit sale and distribution of anticonvulsant Lyrica drug in the country.

Dr. Swar, the prominent Bahraini psychotherapist, was persecuted a couple of years ago in connection to a viral video about the sale of prescription drugs among female-students of a middle public school, through which she exposed the involvement of members of the ruling family and 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.

Lyrica (made by Pfizer) is a prescription pill typically used to treat seizures and provide pain relief. But the drug can also be abused for euphoric effects. In the US, Lyrica has earned the nickname “Budweiser” due to its effects which are similar to alcohol intoxication. It is also mixed with more dangerous drugs like Heroin.

The illicit activity was also tied into sex trafficking. Dr. Swar’s explosive allegations date back to 2019 and were based on conversations she had with young female-students, who were threatened by those peddling the narcotics in the schools. She was summoned and she asked that the Minister of Interior be present so she can show him the evidence.

In an Instagram live broadcast, on 24 March 2019, of a conversation between herself and one of the schoolgirls, Dr. Swar claimed that two schoolgirls enrolled at the Hamad Town Intermediate School for Girls were selling Lyrica pills, which is used to treat epilepsy, neuropathic pain and generalized anxiety disorder.

The explosive allegations caused public uproar, and instead of probing the case and holding violators accountable, Dr. Swar had charges brought against her. But, before her trial, 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.

She was tried at the High Criminal Court for “spreading false information, defamation and misusing telecommunication services.”

She spent time in prison from October 2020 until May 2021, also fined over USD 500 for a suspended sentence until the appeal. Bail was set at more than USD 1,300 and her defense attorney announced that the verdict would be appealed. She was then shocked to find new charges against her with the charge of “covering up a rape.”

The veteran psychotherapist appeared to have no regrets following the court ruling. “I’m proudly taking full responsibility for what I have done,” she stressed, declaring, “I’m proud to say that I saved 194,000 children from the clasp of this racket.” She added, “Your children are precious, don’t let them fall victim to this gang”.

The years-long saga is not a surprise locally as there has always been whispers about Al-Khalifa controlling the drug trade, protecting drug dealers, providing and cracking down based on price and profit.

Medics have long been prime targets of the government persecution in Bahrain. Roughly 21 health professionals —doctors, nurses and technicians—were arrested during pro-democracy protests in 2011 because they treated wounded protesters. Among those is Dr. Rula Al-Saffar, President of the Bahrain Nursing Society, who was imprisoned for 5 months where she was beaten and subject to electro-shock torture. Further, the regime barred Shi’a nursing graduates from getting jobs despite the country’s severe nation’s nursing shortage.

Now, the Bahrain regime is launching defamation campaigns against Dr. Swar. The developing story highlights again the relationship between the UK and Bahrain as activists are asking: “will Bahrain likely demand that the UK extradite her to the country, then, will the UK protect her from any potential threats?”