Police bus attackers to be tried on January 12

Manama, Dec. 8 (BNA): The Chief of Terror Crime Prosecution, Advocate General Ahmed Al Hammadi, today said that investigations have concluded into a terrorist group that bombed an Interior Ministry bus, killing two public security personnel and injuring six others. Advocate General Ahmed Al Hammadi said that 24 suspects had been charged with establishing and operating a terrorist group within the Kingdom. They were also charged with murder and attempted murder of security personnel, causing an explosion, conducting firearms and explosives training for terrorist purposes, and aiding and abetting fugitives wanted for terror offences. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) conducted the investigations into the incident, which revealed that the terror suspects had organised a group and recruited members – one of whom is a member of a political society – based on advice and with funding from individuals living in Iran, for the express purpose of carrying out attacks against policemen. According to the CID report, one other suspect was aware of the terror plot but failed to notify authorities. During the suspects’ arrests, explosive substances and homemade weapons were seized. Investigations also revealed that four members of the group had purposely hid suspects who were wanted in connection with previous convictions and five suspects had assisted one member in illegally exiting and entering Bahrain in order to receive explosives and weapons training in Iran. The suspects will continue to have full access to legal counsel ahead of their court appearance. The case was adjourned to 12 January and will be heard at the High Criminal Court.