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Lawyers protest
By NOOR TOORANI
Published: 5th January 2009
LAWYERS yesterday demanded the right to meet 14 Bahrainis accused of the National Day terror plot without police sitting in. Part of the defence team was allowed to visit six of the men yesterday, but immediately filed an objection to police being present, saying it was against the law.
A lawyer and several assistants met clients at the Public Prosecution in the presence of police, said defence team member Mohammed Al Jishi.
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Lawyers protest
By NOOR TOORANI
Published: 5th January 2009
LAWYERS yesterday demanded the right to meet 14 Bahrainis accused of the National Day terror plot without police sitting in. Part of the defence team was allowed to visit six of the men yesterday, but immediately filed an objection to police being present, saying it was against the law.
A lawyer and several assistants met clients at the Public Prosecution in the presence of police, said defence team member Mohammed Al Jishi.
However, the four-men defence team, comprising Mr Al Jishi, Mohammed Mutawa, Mohammed Ahmed and Hafedh Al Hafedh, immediately sought another visit, in private.
“The police presence during the meeting is against the law because we have to meet our clients privately,” said Mr Al Jishi.
“We will send a request to the Public Prosecutor to meet our clients again but this time without police presence, because these meetings are supposed be confidential.”
It is understood that Mr Al Hafedh was the only defence team lawyer present because the others were not able to make it.
He was accompanied by legal assistants assigned to the case.
Mr Al Jishi told the GDN yesterday the entire team would be present at the next meeting, where they hope to sit with all the suspects.
He also claimed the men showed signs of physical mistreatment, but refused to comment further until he personally saw his clients.
The suspects are accused of planning attacks on Manama nightspots, the Diplomatic Area, Exhibition Road and the Marina Club.
They were arrested after police uncovered the plan and recovered explosives after raiding the homes of those allegedly involved.
All the suspects have since confessed on national television.
The plot allegedly involved ambushing policemen, destroying public property and attacking shopping malls, markets and hotels.
They all allegedly admitted receiving extensive training in Syria in making weapons and using explosives, in a conspiracy allegedly directed by two Bahrainis living in London and others in Bahrain.
Their alleged confessions were broadcast on television and published in media.
noor@gdn.com.bh
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© Gulf Daily News
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=239388&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=31291
