Qatari intelligence links case adjourned to January 4

Manama, Dec. 28 (BNA): The High Criminal Court today decided to adjourn until January 4 the case of Ali Salman Ali Ahmed, Hasan Ali Juma Sultan and Ali Mahdi Ali Al Aswad on charges of contacts with Qatari intelligence, Advocate General Osama Al Aufi said. The three suspects were charged with establishing foreign intelligence links to commit subversive acts against Bahrain and undermine its political, economic position and national interests with the purpose of overthrowing the regime. The suspects also passed national defence secrets on to a foreign country. They accepted financial sums from a foreign country to supply it with military secrets and information pertaining to the Kingdom’s internal affairs. They deliberately spread false rumours aimed to weaken the financial confidence in Bahrain to damage its national sovereignty and financial reputation abroad. Today’s hearing was held in a public session in compliance with the law provisions. The first defendant appeared in court along with his attorneys who requested more time to study and hear witnesses testimonies. The Public Prosecution requested to extend the legal protection for the witnesses. The court decided to adjourn the case to January 4 to hear the testimonies of the first and fourth witnesses, and assign one of the jury members to hear testimonies of the second and third witnesses who are also included under the legal protection. The court handed to the defendant a full copy of the case documents along with CDs and provided him the means to view them.