The State is Not Immune

This book is a powerful true story of an expatriate (the author) who gets entangled in the legal and penal systems of a third world country. At the time, he is naïve enough to believe that the facts of the case mattered more than the agendas of a corrupt regime and the international diplomats who did not want to make waves over the fate of a single, non-connected individual. He and his father quickly lose their illusions about facts, justice, human rights, and diplomatic intervention in Bahrain; from there, this sad drama progresses from frustration to desperation, and finally to a life-or-death race for the author's freedom. Mr. Mechan writes in a conversational, first-person style, allowing his emotions to come through and making for a very easy read. He discusses the events from his point of view (mainly from the courtroom or the bowels of Jau prison). He not only describes the inhuman conditions under which he is held, he also describes the constant physical danger to which he is exposed, all very reminiscent of "Midnight Express." He further relates how the various aspects of his life disintegrate around him. This is every expatriate's nightmare! to be locked away in a horrible foreign prison, with very little chance of getting an appeal, let alone getting out, and meanwhile life on the outside is just going on. Then, at key junctures, turns the tale over to his father Terry, who discusses the same events from his viewpoint as Richard's main advocate. The elder Mechan obviously has a broader view, much greater freedom to act, and must carry the incredible burden of the fight for Richard's freedom. He goes into detail about the corruption and lack of concern for the law and human rights of the Bahraini regime. He describes the incompetence of the local attorneys, and of the British diplomats preference to maintain good relations with the Bahrainis rather than confront them and demand justice for a citizen of the UK. He produces evidence of unethical and illegal US intervention in the case. This book's subject matter is sad, and scary, and thought-provoking. It's a definite "must-read" for expatriates and world travellers, and will be an eye-opener for most people in the Free World who think the justice alone is enough to prevail...