Bahrain Upholds Verdicts against Terror Suspects

Bahrain upheld on Monday verdicts in two terrorist cases dating back to 2017 and 2015, reported the Bahrain news agency (BNA).

In the first case, the High Court of Appeal upheld the death sentence for four defendants over terror explosion that claimed the life of a security officer in Duraz, said Chief of Terror Crime Prosecution, Ahmed Al Hammadi.

The court had made its initial ruling in November 2018 in the attack that took place on June 18, 2017.

The four Bahrainis were convicted with premeditated murder, illegal possession, handling and detonation of explosives and contraband weapons that they used to target people, as well as to destroy public properties, while carrying out terrorist attacks.

The court sentenced the four to death and three of them to life in jail. They were each ordered to pay BD1,000 fines and compensation for the damage they had caused. The court also revoked their citizenship.

In the second case, the Court of Cassation upheld the death penalty against two defendants for establishing and funding an illegal terrorist group, the murder of police officers and the attempted murder of others.

Other charges in the case include detonating and possessing explosives, training in the use of weapons and explosives for terrorist purposes, making flammable materials, harboring convicted persons and fugitives, failing to report terrorist plans and entering and exiting the Kingdom illegally.

In March 2017, the High Criminal Court had sentenced two defendants to death, five to life in prison, six to ten years, one to five years, two to three years, two to two years and four to six months. Two suspects were acquitted.

The court also ordered the revocation of the Bahraini nationality from nine defendants and the payment of BD6,640 in damages.

Two police officers were killed and six were injured in the terrorist attack that occurred in Sitra on July 28, 2015.

The investigation revealed the details about the establishment of the terror group upon orders from defendants residing in Iran.

The group was tasked with targeting police officers and was provided funds by other defendants, including a member of a political society.

One of the defendants put on trial received assistance to exit Bahrain and head to Iran where he received training on the use of explosives and weapons. He was also provided with assistance in clandestinely re-entering Bahrain.