Bahrain Mirror- Exclusive: Amnesty International expressed condolences over the death of the human rights defender Nasser Al-Ras who passed away in one Toronto's hospitals on Tuesday.

Alex Neve, Secretary General Amnesty International Canada, said that Al-Ras "has been in Toronto for the past 10 days for extensive tests which we hoped would ready him for an eventual heart and lungs transplant. Sadly his health declined quickly last week, including a heart attack last Wednesday at which time his heart stopped for a full 14 minutes."

"He did not regain consciousness after that. This morning his heart stopped completely and he could not be revived. It is so painfully sad that it is Naser's heart - which was so full of love, joy and inspiration - that was not able to keep this wonderful young man going," he added.

Alex Neve continued "My heart is broken in many ways today, particularly when I think of his family, who Naser loved so deeply," stressing that they "will most certainly consider ways that can honor Naser for all that he stood for, and all that he was for so many of us."

Arabic Version