Bahrain convicts four on terror charges
Defendants get jail terms ranging from 3 to 7 years for setting up terrorist group
Manama: A Bahraini court has convicted four people on terrorism-related charges, the country’s chief prosecutor Ahmad Al Hamadi said in remarks published Thursday.
The Major Criminal Court has sentenced the four to jailing terms ranging from seven to three years, he added, according to Bahraini newspaper Al Balad.
The case dates back to last year.
Two of the four were tried in absentia on charges of setting up a terrorist group to carry out attacks against police in the kingdom.
Both fugitives, also convicted of recruiting members for their group, were handed down seven years in prison each.
The third and the fourth defendants were sentenced to three years in jail each.
When they were arrested, police found in their possession substances used in the manufacture of explosives.
Other charges against the four included financing and propagating terrorist acts.
Two of the defendants were also ordered to pay a total fine of 200,000 Bahraini dinars after they were convicted of transferring money to outlawed groups.
All the rulings can be appealed, according to the chief prosecutor.
In recent years, Bahrain has seen a series of terrorist attacks mainly targeting security forces.
In May, King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa ratified an anti-terror law that makes punishable offences propagating, glorifying, justifying or encouraging acts that constitute terrorist activities.
According to this law, the violators inside and outside Bahrain face up to five years in prison and a fine ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 dinars.