Acquitted killer cop's verdict to be appealed

He killed a fugitive suspect during an anti-terror operation

DT News Network

Manama

The Special Investigation Unit yesterday confirmed they would appeal the acquittal verdict of a police officer accused of killing a fugitive suspect. The officer was tried for opening fire on 20-year-old Fadhel Abbas Musalem , who died after being shot on the head on January 9 last year as he tried to evade arrest.

He was also charged of injuring another suspect during the same incident. But the High Criminal Court had acquitted him of killing the accused due to lack of proof, though he was sentenced to three months for the injuries he caused to the other suspect.

The 33-year-old Yemeni accused had pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him, stating that he opened fire on the suspects after they had ignored multiple calls to surrender. The incident took place while police officers were tasked to thwart a terror plot that involved arms distribution. 

The officer told prosecutors, "I received instructions from my department to go to the village of Al Markh where were tasked to capture numerous wanted suspects who were attempting to distribute guns. We were divided into two groups to raid a deserted building, where the operation was reportedly taking place," he said.

The accused, who is an anti-terrorism officer added, "We broke into the building. There were two suspects, and we aimed our guns at their legs as per our training rules. We ordered them to put their hands in the air. One of them responded but the other refused."

The officer said he opened fire after the suspect moved his hand quickly towards his trouser pocket as if he was trying to draw a gun.

"I pulled the trigger aiming at his leg and I don't know how he was injured in the abdomen. When we inspected their outfits we found nothing in them. The injured suspect was later transferred to hospital and we were ordered to take position in the deserted building,” he stated.

According to court documents, Musalem got into a vehicle and tried to run it over the policemen when they were about to leave. The accused reportedly shot him to death to save his colleagues.

Prosecutors held the accused responsible of his death.