Two Bahrainis convicted in Sitra arson case lose appeal

TDT | Manama

Two Bahraini men who were convicted of burning tyres in Sitra during the national day celebrations got their appeals rejected by the First Supreme Criminal Court of Appeal. Both men were among six defendants who were each sentenced in 2018 to three years imprisonment.  

According to the results of investigations launched by the Public Prosecution back then, the six defendants were charged with possession of Molotov cocktails, participating in an illegal gathering and disturbing public security. It was shown in the details of the case that the men gathered on Avenue 1 in Sitra on December 16, 2018, and placed five tyres on the road before setting them ablaze. Additionally, when the Public Security forces reached the scene, the defendants, along with other unknown accomplices, hurled Molotov cocktails at the forces and fled the scene. Further investigations led to the arrest of a couple of defendants, who confessed to their crimes during the interrogation and led the police to the other four defendants involved.

Police succeeded in arresting two more defendants, while two more remained at large. The court sentenced four of the defendants to three years in jail while the other two received the same punishment in absentia. The two appellants pleaded against the verdict, but the Supreme Court of Appeal rejected their plea, considering the peremptory evidence against them.