Suspects sentenced to 15 years for arson

Manama, Feb. 29 (BNA): The Chief of Anti-terror Crime Prosecution, Advocate General Ahmed Al Hammadi, today confirmed that the High Criminal Court had sentenced three individuals to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of arson and endangering people’s lives. The sentencing relates to an incident that occurred on August 14, 2015, which saw the defendants set fire to an Interior Ministry patrol car stationed near Al Ghadeer mosque in Sanad, as it conducted a routine patrol to protect worshippers during Friday prayers. Al Hammadi said that the defendants were ordered to pay BD17,170 in damages, and that the prosecution’s evidence presented to court included witness testimonies, technical evidence from CID reports, and photographic images of the incident. The Advocate General also confirmed that the defendants were afforded full legal rights throughout investigations and the trial, which included access to defence lawyers and the right to testify.