“As they had responded to my email the police thought I somehow knew someone
at Manchester United,” she said, in Dooley’s account.
Dooley, speaking from Washington last night, said: “I think Manchester United
should be aware of what happened, both of the boy who died wearing the shirt
and the Fatima connection. It would be helpful if Denis Law could meet her.
The club should know what went on, that she was tortured at least partly
because of her perceived association with United. The Bahrain authorities
are very sensitive to their international reputation, and the idea that a
major international player like United might think ill of them clearly
mattered to them deeply.”
Along with 18 other doctors, she spent weeks in custody for treating injured
protesters, and was sentenced to five years in prison before being acquitted
on appeal last April. Three of her co-accused remain incarcerated, with
Bahrain’s human rights record again due to be thrust into the spotlight by
next weekend’s grand prix.
In this context, the timing of Law’s visit on United’s behalf could hardly be
more politically sensitive. United did not respond to several requests for
comment yesterday.