Diraz blast suspects charged; trial on August 24

Manama, July 28 (BNA): The Public Prosecution has concluded the investigation into the detonation of a locally-made bomb in Diraz, which damaged a trade outlet in the vicinity. A total of 30 suspects, 14 of whom detained in custody, have been charged with perpetrating the blast and possessing explosives for terrorist purposes. Advocate General, Acting Attorney General to the Terror Crime Prosecution Hamad Al-Buainain said that the defendants had also been charged with training on the use of weapons and explosives, promoting criminal acts, illegal rallying, rioting, possessing inflammable substances and damaging others' properties. In a statement today, Al-Buainain said that the defendants would appear before the fourth instance of the High Criminal Court on August 24 to stand trial. The Public Prosecution launched an inquiry into the Diraz blast after it was notified by the Northern Police Directorate on September 28. Fourteen suspects were identified and caught in connection with the explosion and an arrest warrant was issued for the other accomplices who remained at large. The arrestees admitted to plotting the blast, fabricating the locally-made bomb, planting the explosives in the area and preparing Molotov cocktails to attack security personnel. The defendants blocked Budaiya Highway, attacked on-duty police patrols in the area and detonated the bomb which damaged a trade outlet. The Public Prosecution based its inquiry on the testimony the public security personnel, the investigation and the defendants' confessions, in addition to the forensic reports and footage of the terror blast.