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Amnesty is hailed
Published: 31 July 2008
MANAMA: His Majesty King Hamad’s decision to pardon 225 convicts was yesterday hailed as a sign of strength and leadership. “The amnesty is also a testimony to the prevalence of security and stability across Bahrain,” said Public Security chief Major General Abdullatif Al Zayani.
“It also reflects the core positive aspects embodied in the reform project initiated by His Majesty King Hamad.”
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Amnesty is hailed
Published: 31 July 2008
MANAMA: His Majesty King Hamad’s decision to pardon 225 convicts was yesterday hailed as a sign of strength and leadership. “The amnesty is also a testimony to the prevalence of security and stability across Bahrain,” said Public Security chief Major General Abdullatif Al Zayani.
“It also reflects the core positive aspects embodied in the reform project initiated by His Majesty King Hamad.”
Maj Gen Al Zayani was speaking as he received local newspapers’ editors-in-chief in the wake of the Royal pardon.
He urged all Bahrainis to live up to the King’s magnanimity and preserve national unity.
Maj Gen Al Zayani also stressed the vital need to steer away from any sectarian considerations and join ranks for the country to stand proudly united.
“Security is the responsibility of everyone, hence the need to rally together and deter rogues,” he said.
He urged people whose areas were affected by acts of sabotage to take the initiative and prevent a repeat of violence and rioting.
Protecting youngsters against destructive indoctrination and fostering national unity among them are also crucial, said Maj Gen Al Zayani.
He even went on to describe such sordid stratagems as amounting to blind terror acts.
“Masterminds who incite innocent children to hurl Molotov cocktails and hurt others are heartless people,” said Maj Gen Al Zayani.
He defended freedom of speech as an inalienable right embedded in the constitution, but said security was vital.
“The nation can never progress and thrive unless national security prevails,” he said.
He praised the crucial role of the judiciary, describing security and justice as the pillars of development and prosperity.
Of those pardoned, 151 were convicts in criminal cases and 74 were other detainees, Interior Ministry legal affairs assistant under-secretary Mohammed Rashid Buhamood said.
Some of the convicts spoke of their relief at the pardon.
But Mohammed Juma Abdulla, convicted in the Seef dhow burning case, wondered why those who lured him and others to such acts didn’t inquire about them while they were in jail.
He said he realised the error of his ways in prison and wondered what rioting and blowing up cylinders achieved.
Yousif Radhi Hassan, 16, a second convict in the dhow arson case, thanked His Majesty for rescuing him from a horrible future, and vowed not to commit such wrongful acts.
Some others, who included Mahmood Rashid, 16, third convict in the dhow arson case; Ahmed Mahmood Yousif, 16, and his brother Yousif, 15, Jalal Hassan Mohammed, 17, Mohammed Mahdi Abdulla, 16, and Mohammed Taher Hubail, 20, all convicted in various arson cases, thanked the King for his kind gesture.
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