The beginning of this saga was roughly this time of year last year, where he was arrested just prior to the Formula 1 on the above charges. The charges were more encompassing however, as his name was notoriously published in all the local newspapers with the charge of having an illicit sexual relationship with the maid. Keep in mind that in Bahrain it is customary that the names of individuals are not published in such cases. Al Shayeb always maintained that he went their to pick up a letter that she wanted it delivered to another maid. Apparently the charge of the sexual affair has been dropped and he has only been convicted of unlawfully entering a private property.
Something to keep in mind in all of this is that Al Shayeb was planning a demonstration with the National Committe for Martyrs and Victims of Torture last April to coincide with the Formula 1. His arrest, along with a rumoured tacit agreement between the opposition and the government not to disturb the Formula 1 arrangements and hurt the image of the country (which is supposedly one of the reasons why the first consitutional conference's date was moved), prevented the demonstration from occuring. Another demonstration by the same group was planned to coincide with this year's formula 1, so it is interesting to put Al Shayeb's current arrest order in this context.
What's going on? Is this, along with the arrest of Bahrainonline.org crew, all part of a wider plot, or are these all unrelated events taken on by different individuals in the general attorney's office? How is this exactly going to be good for the government just prior to the formula 1? Isn't this just calling for demonstrations to occur at that period? I somehow am a bit puzzled if this is indeed the work of high ranking officials intentionally orchestrating and coordinating all of these arrests to achieve a wider aim, especially when the eyes of the world are going to be focused on Bahrain with the Formula 1 coming up. Maybe the theory of elements withing the high ranks trying to derail the reform and its image abroad does hold some ground after all? Something fishy is going on here.