Public Prosecution concludes investigation

Manama, Mar. 12 (BNA): Advocate General Nawaf Al-Awadhi today stated that the Public Prosecution concluded its inquiry into the use of funds that were raised in Bahrain and abroad to finance groups of saboteurs. The probe conducted by the Public Prosecution revealed that an accused known for his enmity toward Bahrain supplied two accomplices with funds. The two accused admitted during their questioning to receiving funds from the accused, and raising money through donation boxes that were placed in public areas. The defendants claimed that the money was collected, without authorization from competent authorities, in order to be distributed to help the families of inmates, particularly the so-called political activists, in reference to the convicts indicted in cases of sabotage. The Public Prosecution dropped the charges of raising the money to fund acts of terror and sabotage for lack of sufficient evidence corroborating the charges. The three defendants - one in absentia - were referred to the Lower Criminal Court. The first and third defendants were charged with raising funds without legal authorization for non-public purposes. The accused was charged with inciting the first defendant to collecting funds and spending the proceeds for non-public purposes, even though he was aware he did not have the required authorization. The accused was also charged with aiding and abetting the first defendant and supplying him with money for this purpose The defendants will stand trial on March 17.