Six terror suspects jailed for life in Diraz terror attack

Manama : The High Criminal Court yesterday sentenced six persons to life in jail and another for three years with a fine of BD 200  for the 2016 February 12 blast in Diraz targeting security personnel. The court acquitted two persons in the case, Chief Prosecutor of the Terror Crimes Prosecution, Mishaal Al-Mannai said.

The court has also slapped a compensation of BD 1551 on the convicts for the damage caused. A police vehicle was damaged in the incident.

The culprits were charged with attempt to murder and illegal possession of explosives to carry out blast. They were also found guilty of illegal gathering, rioting and possession of incendiary devices.

Case documents reveal that the Terror Crimes Prosecution had been notified on February 12, 2016 that a group of people illegally assembled, attacked policemen and lured them to the site of an explosive device that they had already placed. They then detonated the explosive device as soon as the security personnel drew near for the purpose of murdering policemen and sparking panic and chaos across the country. Later, investigation conducted by the relevant security authorities led to the identification of the perpetrators and the arrest of one of them.

The Public Prosecution relied in substantiating the charges on testimonies from evidence witnesses, the confessions of one suspect, and forensic reports.

The suspects were referred to the High Criminal Court, which deliberated the case, in the presence of their defence lawyers, the Chief Prosecutor said, adding that the defendants were afforded full legal guarantees throughout the trial. The suspects can challenge the court ruling at the High Court of Appeals. They may also challenge the verdict of the Court of Appeals at the Court of Cassation.