Death, life in jail for killing policeman, citizen

Manama, Dec. 31 (BNA): The Chief of Anti-Terror Crime Prosecution, Advocate-General Ahmed Al Hammadi, today confirmed that the High Criminal Court sentenced a convicted terrorist to death and 22 others to life in jail following the murder of a policeman. The sentencing followed a comprehensive trial, during which the defendants were found to have formed a terrorist group within Bahrain. The group obtained and used explosives and weapons, and raised funds for terrorist activities. The court revoked the nationality of all defendants and fined two defendants BD200,000. The group was found guilty of carrying out two bomb attacks last year that resulted in the death of a policeman and a Bahraini citizen. According to case documents, on 8 December last year, a complex and carefully planned terror operation in the Damistan area resulted in the death of a policeman. The incident saw one group of suspects purposely start a riot in order to lure policemen to the street where they had planted an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). A second group remotely detonated the bomb when police approached and a third group acted as lookout for additional security forces. Due to the quick response of security forces in Damistan, the suspects were prevented from carrying out a subsequent terror attack in Karzakan. An IED planted by the suspects in Karzakan was unintentionally remotely detonated, which killed one civilian and injured another. Extensive investigations and the gathering of forensic evidence led investigators to conclude that the same terror group was responsible for both incidents, and that the group had been formed with the sole intent of manufacturing and using explosives to target security forces within Bahrain. The prosecution’s case against the accused also included documented statements by six of the suspects and witness testimony. The defendants had regular access to their legal teams throughout the trial, as guaranteed by Bahraini law. The defendants have the right to appeal the ruling and will continue to be afforded full legal rights.