Terror group "Saraya Al Ashtar" trial to begin in November

Manama, Oct. 20 (BNA): Bahrain’s Chief of Anti-terrorist Crime Prosecution, Hamad Al Buainain, has announced that investigations into the terrorist group, Saraya Al Ashtar, have concluded, and that the case will be heard at the High Criminal Court on November 22. Following a comprehensive investigation, the Public Prosecution has charged fourteen suspects, two of which are believed to be taking refuge in Iran, with establishing and running a terrorist organisation in the Kingdom. Members of the Saraya Al Ashtar group are accused of receiving weapons and explosives training in Iraq and carrying out terror attacks in Bahrain using high-grade explosives, resulting in the death and injury of several policemen and innocent civilians. Additional charges to be heard in court include attempted murder, rioting, possessing bomb-making materials, and the destruction of property. The terrorist group is accused of carrying out several bomb attacks between 2013 and 2015, with blasts occurring in Sanabis, Daih, Shakhoora, Maqsha, Diraz, Hamad Town and a shopping mall. The Chief of Anti-terrorist Crime Prosecution said investigations indicate that the two fugitives thought to be in Iran recruited Bahraini members with the explicit aim of using violence to carry out atrocities and invoke fear in Bahrain. They are also accused of facilitating members’ travel to Iraq where they received explosives training to be used against security personnel.