In first, Bahrain military court to try three for terror

Dubai: Bahrain’s military judiciary is reviewing the case of three individuals, two civilians and one military, accused of plotting terror attacks against military installations and Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) staff, the National Communication Centre (NCC) has said.

The case, the first of its kind, is being reviewed as under Law 12/2017 that amended provisions of the military law and allowed the military judiciary to review cases of crimes committed against BDF facilities, installations, properties or staff.

In April, King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa approved an amendment to the constitution that granted military courts the right to try civilians accused of terrorism.

The bill revises a portion of Bahrain’s constitution by removing limitations on who military courts can try.

Brig. Gen. Youssuf Rashid Flaifel, the head of the country’s military courts, told the parliament at the time of debate that the change was necessary to “fight terrorism.”

The amendment was approved by the two chambers of the bicameral parliament.