Court fixes May 27 datefor trial of alleged cell

Manama: A court in Manama has adjourned to May 27 the trial of an alleged terrorist cell accused of plotting attacks against Bahrain, which was uncovered by neighbouring Qatar.

According to the case papers, the alleged cell plotted to target the Saudi embassy in Manama, the interior ministry building and the 25km-long King Fahad Causeway linking Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

Bahrain's interior ministry said in November it had received information from Qatari security officials about the arrest of four Bahrainis who had entered the country through Saudi Arabia.

The Qataris said they discovered documents and a laptop containing sensitive security information and details about some vital establishments in Bahrain, as well as airline bookings to Syria, with the suspects.

They also carried unspecified sums of foreign currency, including US dollars and Iranian rials, they said.

Questioned

The Qatari security authorities questioned the suspects, and enquiries revealed they had illegally left Bahrain to head to Iran, passing through Qatar and Syria, the ministry said.

Their intention was to establish a group to carry out terrorist operations in Bahrain against vital establishments and individuals, the ministry added.

Bahrain's authorities received the four suspects on November 4.

They provided details about others involved in the cell.

Three of the members are being tried in absentia.