Defamation case verdict upheld

Manama, May 14 (BNA): Advocate General Wael Buallay stated the High Criminal Court of Appeal's second chamber has upheld the six month jail sentence in the case of the public defamation of two official institutions. The Public Prosecution said the case dates to the complaint lodged by the defence and interior ministries versus an individual who published statements in the media that constituted a defamation against both ministries by ascribing defamatory things to both of them and their personnel, the Advocate General said. The defendant also falsely alleged that Bahrainis implicated with terror groups abroad belonged to the two security institutions, alleging both institutions embraced terrorist ideologies. The Public Prosecution referred the defendant to the competent court and his case was deliberated during the hearings. The accused was released, but a travel ban was imposed on him. The court provided all justice guarantees for a fair trial and sentenced him to six months in jail after he was found guilty of committing the incriminating act. The convict appealed the sentence and the Court of Appeal on Thursday upheld the sentence. The current verdict has become enforceable, but the defendant has the right to challenge the sentence at the Court of Cassation, the highest court.