Three terror suspects handed down jail terms

Manama, Nov. 29 (BNA): Advocate General and Terror Crime Prosecution Chief, Chancellor Dr. Ahmed Al Hammadi, has announced that the fourth High Criminal Court today sentenced a suspect to life in prison. It also issued a 10-year prison sentence and a BD100.000 fine against a second suspect, and a three-year jail sentence against another. The three defendants were found guilty of joining a terrorist group contrary to the provisions of the law, holding leadership positions in it and taking part in its actions for terrorist purposes. They were also charged with receiving funds from an active terrorist group and using them in its terrorist actions. Court documents show that the commanders of the "February 14 Coalition" terrorist organisation recruited the second suspect to serve the organisation’s goals through taking part in acts of rioting, sabotage and unauthorised rallies, as well as carrying out terrorist acts in Buri region. He was also given funds to use them in serving the organisation’s activities and interests. Investigations also proved that the second suspect had recruited the third defendant and included him in the organisation in order to be his successor in case he was arrested, and also established contacts between him and external commanders.  The documents also proved that the first suspect, who belonged to the Saraya al-Mukhtar ("Squadrons of al-Mukhtar") terrorist organisation, had hired the second suspect to the organisation and tasked him to move to field work in the Buri region through using explosives. He also requested him to look for government and economic targets to target them using bombings for the sake of harming national interests. It was also agreed that he would be provided with a homemade explosive device to be used in accordance with the instructions he used to receive from the "Saraya Al-Mukhtar" terrorist organisation. The Public Prosecution relied in substantiating the charges levelled against the suspects on technical and verbal evidences, including testimonies of the prosecution witnesses and confession of the first suspect.  The accused were referred to the High Criminal Court which heard the case in the presence of their lawyers. The court provided them with all legal guarantees and issued its afore-mentioned verdict. Al-Hammadi said that the suspects have the right to challenge the ruling before the Court of Appeal and, then, the Court of Cassation as guaranteed by Bahrain constitution.