Court of Appeals upholds verdict

Manama, Oct. 27 (BNA): Chief Prosecutor of the Terror Crimes Prosecution, Isa Al-Rowai, said that the First High Court of Appeal today upheld the ruling issued against a number of appellants who were convicted on charges of founding, organizing and managing an illegal group to hinder the constitution and laws, prevent the state institutions and authorities from exercising their responsibilities, and undermine the national unity through the use of terrorist means. They were also convicted of joining a terrorist group, illegally importing explosives, firearms and ammunition with the intention of using them to disrupt peace and public order, assisting suspects to escape justice, funding a terrorist group and inciting and joining assaults on on-duty security men while and preventing them from carrying out their assignments The High Criminal Court on May 14, 2015, sentenced five defendants to life in prison, 22 to 15 years, 28 to 10 years, and one to three years. The court also revoked the citizenship of the 55 defendants, ruled the deportation of a defendant after serving his jail term and the confiscation of the seized items. Defendants recruited Bahraini individuals with the aim of escalating terrorist acts in Bahrain by targeting national security and sensitive installations, including the embassy of Saudi Arabia, carrying out attacks with the intent of killing security men, as well as disturbing public order, preventing public authorities from exercising their work, jeopardizing people's safety and security and attempting to overthrow the political system. The court charged defendants with receiving training on making explosives, weapons and Molotov cocktails. They were also accused of smuggling firearms and explosives into the country, as well as smuggling fugitives by sea. The defendants were also charged with raising funds in Bahrain to buy equipment needed for carrying out criminal activities, rallying and covering the group's activities by the media to promote their terrorist goals under the slogan Revolutionary Media. Investigation also revealed that a defendant had issued orders to another to carry out terrorist acts during the national celebrations and to target the Saudi embassy and King Fahad Causeway. Several ready-to-use bombs intended for their terrorist acts were found. A number of defendants were arrested and referred to the Public Prosecution while an arrest warrant was issued against the fugitives. The Public Prosecution relied in substantiating the charges on testimonies from evidence witnesses, the confessions of the suspects a, and forensic reports. The suspects were referred to the Fourth High Criminal Court, where they stood trial in the presence of their defence lawyers. The defendants have the right to appeal the court ruling, as guaranteed by Bahraini law.