Karim Fakhrawi facts for kids

Karim Fakhrawi, also known as Abdulkarim Ali Ahmed Fakhrawi (born around 1962 – died 12 April 2011), was a publisher from Bahrain. He helped start Al-Wasat, a very popular newspaper in Bahrain.

Fakhrawi died in April 2011 while he was being held by police. An official investigation later found that he died because of bad treatment. He was one of several journalists who died during protests in Bahrain.

About Karim Fakhrawi

Karim Fakhrawi helped create Al-Wasat newspaper in 2002. This was the only independent newspaper in Bahrain. At one point, the government tried to stop the newspaper from publishing. They said it was trying to harm Bahrain's safety and spread false information.

Fakhrawi was also a member of Al-Wefaq. This was a large political group that was against the government. He lived in Manama, the capital city of Bahrain.

His Work and Businesses

Karim Fakhrawi was a successful businessman. He started Bahrain's first educational bookstore. This bookstore grew into a publishing house. It became the main supplier of books to the University of Bahrain.

He also owned a construction company. This company built the Iraqi Embassy in Bahrain. Fakhrawi is best known for being one of the main people who started Al-Wasat newspaper.

Al-Wasat has won many awards. These include a regional award from UNICEF for its online content. Forbes Middle East also named it one of the strongest newspapers in the Middle East and North Africa online.

How Karim Fakhrawi Died

The protests happened mostly around Manama, where Fakhrawi lived and worked.

Karim Fakhrawi was taken by police on April 5, 2011. He had gone to complain that police were threatening to destroy his home. The authorities said he was making up and spreading false news.

Fakhrawi was held by the police for one week before he died. He was one of many people who died while being held by local police during that time.

Police first told the media that Karim died from kidney failure. However, photos were later shared that showed bruises on his body. These marks suggested he had been badly hurt. The evidence was found when his body was prepared for burial.

The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) looked into his death. They stated that Fakhrawi died in a hospital after being moved from police custody. The Commission concluded that Karim Fakhrawi's death was caused by bad treatment while he was held by the police.

What Was Happening in Bahrain

In February 2011, people in Bahrain started to protest. This was part of a bigger movement called the Arab Spring. In Bahrain, many people were protesting against the government.

Since February 15, 2011, more than 80 protesters had died. This included four people who died while being held by police. The opposition group Al-Wefaq said that hundreds of protesters were arrested by the government.

Impact of His Death

Karim Fakhrawi was the second journalist to die during the protests in Bahrain. He was also the fourth person to die while held by the government.

After the deaths of two journalists, Irina Bokova, who was the head of UNESCO, asked for an investigation. She wanted to find out what happened in their deaths.

One year later, another citizen journalist named Ahmed Ismail Hassan was shot and died. He was filming a protest at the time.