Canadian man arrested in Bahrain released

An Ottawa man who was arrested in Bahrain last Wednesday because of convictions connected to the Arab Spring protests has been released from custody Monday,according to hisfiance.

Naser al-Raas was facing a five-year prison sentence after being convicted in October 2011of illegal assembly, rioting and incitement in the Arab Spring protests.

The 29-year-old al-Raas had been hiding out in Bahrain since his conviction but wasarrested Wednesdaywhen he showed up in court in a final bid to get out of the sentence.

His fiance, Zainab Ahmed, told CBC News that the court approved al-Raas's release after a request from his lawyer. She said she picked up him Monday after his release.

Claims torture

Al-Raas had been living and working in Kuwait butlast April went to Bahrain to visit his sisters and fiance. He was then accused of joining the demonstrations.

The Kuwait-born Canadian citizen was arrested when trying to board a plane to return to Kuwait at the Bahrain International Airport Wednesday. His passport was confiscated.

Al-Raas claimed he was tortured for a month last year for a similar offence and wants all charges dropped, adding he was also deprived of medication he needs for a heart and lung condition.

After his most recent arrest, his fiance spoke with CBC's Ashley Burke via Skype, saying she was afraid al-Raas would be tortured again. She begged the Canadian government to do something.

Diane Ablonczy, the minister of state of foreign affairs (Americas and consular affairs), said in a statement following al-Raass latest arrest that Canada would "continue to raise Canadas concerns regarding Mr. Al-Raass situation with the Bahraini government and will urge that his case be resolved expeditiously."