Gulf | Bahrain
Bahrain state television airs confessions of Manama-attack plotters
Bahrain state television has aired confessions from 12 of the 14 men arrested for plotting attacks in three areas in Manama, the Bahraini capital, as the country marked its national day.
- By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief
- Published: 15:21 December 29, 2008
Manama: Bahrain state television has aired confessions from 12 of the 14 men arrested for plotting attacks in three areas in Manama, the Bahraini capital, as the country marked its national day.
The broadcasting was criticised by rights activist Abdullah Al Durazi, who said that it violated the rights of the accused and could influence the concept of a fair trial.
However, the public prosecutor attributed its decision to allow the airing and publishing of the confessions to "public interest" and stressed that the statements and facts presented to the public would not affect the course of justice.
"The aim was to strengthen the sense of tranquility among the people and residents of the country and to stress that there is total security control over the criminal activities of the accused," the public prosecutor said.
On Saturday, Shaikh Rashid Bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, the interior minister, said the security authorities had arrested 14 people who confessed that they were trained on the making and use of explosives and on booby-trapping cars in a special camp in Syria in July and August.
The minister said the accused had links with two Bahrainis, allegedly the ringleaders, who lived in London. British ambassador to Bahrain Jamie Bowdin said his country would look into the matter, while the Syrians said they would work closely with Bahrain on the issue.
The group planned to disrupt peace and public order, scare citizens and residents and endanger their lives, the minister said.
On Sunday, the government said it would coordinate closely with other countries to ensure that their territories are not used to harbour terror plots and conspiracies against Bahrain and asked the interior and foreign ministers to take the necessary measures with their counterparts in the concerned countries.
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