Bahrain raps UN Special Rapporteur’s allegations

In response to the statement issued by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions, as well as to allegations on implementing the death penalty on three individuals convicted of murder, Bahrain yesterday underlined that the death penalty followed the final court judgment confirming their convictions for the crimes of murder and other offences.  

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that the case was heard at all three tiers of the judicial system, in trials in which all standards of justice and guarantees of due process were fully upheld. The Court of Cassation unanimously approved the death penalty, after reviewing all the evidence proving the defendants had committed the offences of which they were charged, and confirming the validity of the judgments against them.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to international instruments signed in accordance with the provisions set out in the Constitution and the law and ensuring all guarantees of fair trial and due process. The main convict in imam murder case was executed following the rejection of his appeal by the Court of Cassation. Earlier, the High Court of Appeals had also rejected his appeal, upholding the death sentence issued by the High Criminal Court.

The Public Prosecution had referred the main convict along with the second defendant on charges of deliberate, premeditated murder, desecrating and concealing the victim’s body. The jury unanimously agreed on issuing the death sentence against the first and one year in jail and deportation against the second defendant. Two other convicts were as well sentenced to death on the same day. The case included charges of joining a terrorist group, murders, and possession of explosives and firearms to carry out terror acts.

The defendants were referred to the High Criminal Court where the judges heard the pleadings of the lawyers of the accused and the Public Prosecutor. The Prosecution called for the maximum sentence for the accused individuals. The court sentenced two defendants to death, 19 to life in prison, 17 to 15 years, nine to 10 and five to 11. It acquitted two defendants. The rulings were upheld by the Court of Appeals and subsequently by the Court of Cassation.