15 terror suspects sentenced

Manama, Oct. 27 (BNA): Terror Crime Chief Prosecutor Isa Al Ruwaie said the High Criminal Court sentenced today 15 defendants for crimes and offences related to setting up a terror group and joining it, funding terrorism, causing an explosion, placing explosive objects, arson for a terror purpose, rioting and possessing incendiary devices. The court sentenced three defendants to life in jail and fined each one of them BD 200,000. Two defendants were given 15-year jail terms while three other defendants were sentenced to ten years in prison and seven others were handed down seven years in prison. The court also ordered the revocation of the citizenship of the 15 defendants and the confiscation of the items found in their possession. The convicts were accused of setting up a terror group in Bahrain, funding it and committing terror crimes. The Public Prosecution relied in its investigation on verbal evidences, including the prosecution witnesses' testimonies and the defendants' confessions, as well as technical evidences, including reports by the Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID). The suspects had been referred to the High Criminal Court for trial while providing them with all legal guarantees. The court issued the verdicts after hearing the cases in the presence of their lawyers. The convicts can challenge the sentences before the Court of Appeal and the Court of Cassation if there are any legal reasons for the appeal, in line with the legal guarantees provided by Bahrain's judicial system.