A matter of life and death

The hunger striking whistleblower Abdullah Ibhais has been denied salt by his prison guards. Meanwhile the Supreme Committee has asked his lawyer to step down and, if not, warning him that representing Ibhais will damage his career.

By Håvard Melnæs and Lars Johnsen

Former media manager at the Supreme Committee of Delivery & Legacy (SC), the organisation responsible for the World Cup 2022 in Qatar, Abdullah Ibhais, has been on a hunger strike for three weeks, losing more than 10 kilos of weight. A married man and the father of two young boys has also been deprived of salt, which medical experts Josimar has contacted say will make him develop serious health issues soon.

Early Monday morning on 15 November, Abdullah Ibhais was arrested and imprisoned just hours before an interview appointment with Norwegian state broadcaster NRK. Ibhais immediately started a hunger strike, telling family and friends that he would continue the hunger strike “until I am proven innocent or I'd rather die”. In a recent conversation with family members, Abdullah Ibhais described his situation as “hell”. He shares a cell with no less than 25 inmates, and for the last few nights he has been forced to sleep on the concrete floor. 

Earlier this year, on 29 April, Abdullah Ibhais was sentenced to five years in prison with no evidence against him presented in the court case. The judge also denied Ibhais’ lawyer the right to present his defence in court.

As Josimar reported earlier, Abdullah Ibhais was arres...

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