Explosive warehouse suspects given jail terms

Manama, May 31 (BNA): Chief of Terror Crimes Prosecution, Advocate General Ahmed Al Hammadi state that the High Criminal Court today sentenced seven suspects to life in prison in the case brought against the "Dar Kulaib Warehouse" suspects Three other defendants were given 15-year jail terms and another was given a one-year prison sentence. The court also revoked the citizenship of the 11 suspects, ordered two suspects to pay BD200.000, and confiscated the seized items, Al-Hammadi said. The defendants were found guilty of forming and joining a terrorist group contrary to the provisions of the law, funding a group that is engaged in terror activities, as well as acquiring, possessing and making explosives without a license from the Interior Minister. They were also charged with training on using weapons and explosive materials. The incident dates to May 8 last year when two suspects, who were linked to a terror group in Bahrain, smuggled explosives into Saudi Arabia. The terrorist organisation was formed in the wake of the February, 2011 events to recruit Bahraini elements and send them to Iraq and Iran to get funding and be trained on making and using explosives, as well as on using weapons for the purpose of carrying out terror crimes in Bahrain to disrupt security and stability, spread panic and fear among the citizens, target the security personnel and prevent the authorities from exercising their work. While in Iran and Iraq, suspects received military training on how to use explosives and weapons. They afterwards rented a house in Dar Kulaib to make explosives and hide them. After notifying the Public Prosecution, the Criminal Investigation Directorate searched the house and uncovered a concealed area behind a gypsum wall of a room where explosives and explosive-making materials had been hidden. The findings of the investigations that included witness testimonies and detailed forensic evidence were presented to the court by the Public Prosecution, Al-Hammadi added. The Public Prosecution referred seven arrested suspects to the High Criminal Court, and ordered the speedy arrest of the remaining ones. The Advocate-General confirmed that the defendants had been afforded full legal rights throughout the trial, as guaranteed by Bahraini Law.