Terrorist group suspects to be tried in August

Manama, July 26 (BNA): Chief Prosecutor and Acting Chief of the Terror Crimes Prosecution, Hamad Shaheen, has announced the completion of investigations into the illegal formation of a terrorist group under the name of “Zulfiqar Brigades”. The 138 suspects, including 52 who are still at large, were referred to the relevant court over charges of establishing and running a terrorist group contrary to the provisions of the law, taking command and joining it. They were also accused of carrying out blasts, possessing explosives, training on the use of weapons and explosives, and attempting to murder policemen. Charges also included placing bogus explosives in public areas, exchanging intelligence with a foreign country and its aides in order to carry out hostile acts against the Kingdom, holding illegal gatherings, rioting, possessing flammable materials, and damaging property. The defendants will stand trial at the fifth High Criminal Court on August 28, Shaheen said. Documents of the case reveal that on November 25, the Public Prosecution received a report from the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science indicating that leaders of terrorist groups operating in Bahrain and some fugitive convicts in Iran and Iraq held meetings in Iran. Supported and directed by leaders from the Iranian regime and members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, they agreed, during their meetings, to unify their criminal activities in the kingdom and merge under one terrorist organisation which they called “Zulfiqar Brigades”. The unity and merger among the terrorist group leaders under the banner of one organisation was aimed at addressing the shortages in trained elements, weapons and explosives. Their merger was also meant to deal with the consequences of the successes of the security authorities in seizing their weapons and explosive materials, and in arresting some of their trained commanders in the kingdom. The suspects founded their terrorist organisation which included qualified and trained terrorist elements who were experienced in making and detonating explosives, using firearms, and establishing warehouses. The group subsequently recruited new elements, trained them on carrying out criminal plots and formed their military wing in Bahrain. Investigations showed that the members of the military wing of the terrorist organisation had carried out several terrorist attacks in the Kingdom after receiving the necessary training at the camps of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in Iran and Iraq. They were trained on using all types of weapons and dealing with explosive materials, making and using bombs, gang war, ways to confront the police, personal security, surveillance of the targeted buildings and setting up of warehouses and hiding places. The Public Prosecution questioned 86 suspects in the presence of their defence lawyers, and conducted inspections of the sites devoted to the storage of weapons and explosive materials, the Chief Prosecutor said.