Court sentences 14-member terror cell

Manama, Dec. 27 (BNA): The High Criminal Court today convicted 14 Bahrainis charged with the establishment, joining and funding a terrorist group. The cell carried out terrorist assaults, unlicensed demonstrations, rioting, and handling of explosive devices. The court issued a life in jail term against one defendant. The court also issued a BD100,000 fine and seven years to nine defendants. The court also issued three years in jail against three defendants. The court issued a BD 200 fine against two defendants. The court ruled revocation of the nationality of nine and confiscation of seized items. The case file indicate that the so-called (14th of February) listed as terrorist organization fugitive elements abroad had recruited the first and second defendants and tasked them to form a terrorist cell affiliated with the said terrorist organization. They were also tasked to carry out acts of riot, vandalism, arson, plant fake explosive devices on public roadside, targeting Sitra Police Station. They also staged unlicensed demonstrations in Sitra area. The leaders of the terrorist organization living abroad financed the activities of the cell. The first defendant led the illegal demonstrations. He received financial support to implement the terrorist cell activities. He also filmed the terrorist attacks on Sitra Police Station and the targeting of police personnel. The second defendant led the field operations of attacking the policemen and Sitra Police Station. They targeted to kill the policemen, damage private and public property and terrify the people. The first and second defendants joined the terrorist cell alongside with the remaining suspects. The Prosecution presented witness testimonies, defendant confessions, technical evidences and referred the defendants to the High Criminal Court which deliberated the case during its sessions in the presence of defence attorneys who submitted their arguments. All the legal sureties were provided to the defendants before the court issued its above ruling. The convicts have the right to appeal the verdict before the Court of Appeals within the prescribed duration. The convicts are also permitted under the Bahraini law to plead before the Court of Cassation.