Prison riot: Court upholds sentence

Manama : Fifty-four appellants, implicated in connection with the riots that broke out in Jaw Prison in March last year have had their jail terms upheld on appeal. 

The rioting inmates are said to have gone on the rampage on March 10, while holding a nurse as hostage. 

Violence erupted when guards allegedly denied access to a prisoner´s relative who showed up for a visit but did not have proper identification. 

The defendants are said to have destroyed numerous facilities, ignited a fire in the property as well as committed hooligan acts. Several prison guards and inmates were injured during the event, according to court files. 

Fifty-seven men were found guilty in connection with this case, but only 54 appealed the verdict. 

The High Criminal Court earlier had ordered them to pay a combined total of around half-a-million Bahraini dinars for the damages they caused to the property.  

The defendants were indicted with the use of force against police officers, attacking prison officers with sharp and deadly objects and arson, causing severe damage to the facility and putting the safety of inmates and officers at risk. 

The Public Prosecution had heard 126 witnesses before referring the case to the High Criminal Court. Earlier, the defendants received 15 years of jail which was later reduced to 10 years.