Request to reconsider capital punishment rulings

Manama, May 7 (BNA): Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments, Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa, stated that "following review of the proposal made by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), as referred by the Attorney General, to reconsider death sentences in the murder of a police officer and attempted murder of other police officers by a terrorist bombing, a decision was made to apply to the President of the Court of Cassation to reconsider the aforementioned sentences, subject to the privileges granted under the Court of Cassation Law allowing the Minister of Justice to request reconsideration of sentences under certain circumstances". The Justice Minister pointed out that "such an application is made under the authority vested in the Minister of Justice to ensure that justice is served after exhausting all legal avenues to the maximum extent possible in order to uncover the truth, subject to Court of Cassation Law". "The Court of Cassation has absolute discretion, based on the investigations carried out by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) and new documents filed in respect of evidence in the case against the convicts", he added. The Minister underscored Bahrain's deep commitment to safeguarding the legal rights guaranteed by Bahrain’s legislature to ensure that justice is served to the fullest extent of the law. It is noted that Ministry of Interior Ombudsman had reviewed this case and notified the SIU of their findings. The SIU had in turn investigated the incidents in question and proposed reconsideration of the sentences against the two convicts in light of uncovering new documents which were not presented to the Court who decided the sentences.