——————————————————————————–
21 plot suspects face terror trial
By NOOR TOORANI
Published: 24th February 2009
TWENTY-ONE men appeared in court for the first time yesterday in connection with an alleged plot to carry out terrorist attacks during Bahrain’s National Day celebrations. They are among 35 suspects, including 14 Bahrainis arrested when the suspected plot was first discovered last December.
——————————————————————————–
21 plot suspects face terror trial
By NOOR TOORANI
Published: 24th February 2009
TWENTY-ONE men appeared in court for the first time yesterday in connection with an alleged plot to carry out terrorist attacks during Bahrain’s National Day celebrations. They are among 35 suspects, including 14 Bahrainis arrested when the suspected plot was first discovered last December.
The December 17 plot allegedly included ambushing policemen, destroying public property and attacking shopping malls, markets and hotels with homemade explosives.
Those on trial include Haq Movement for Liberties and Democracy chief Hassan Mushaima, media and international relations director Dr Abduljalil Al Singace and religious scholar Mohammed Al Moqdad.
Dr Al Singace was not in court yesterday as he is sick in hospital.
It is understood the other 13 suspects are still at large.
The eight-member defence team comprising, Hassan Ali Radhi, Mohammed Ahmed, Isa Ibrahim, Jalila Al Sayed, Ahmed Al Arrayedh, Hafedh Ali Hafedh, Mohammed Al Jishi and Sami Al Seyadi, clashed with High Criminal Court judges several times during the one-and-a-half-hour session.
They objected to the procedures taken by judges, after Mr Mushaima spoke when he entered a plea, saying his statements should be recorded in court documents.
Lawyers argued it was their client’s constitutional right to exercise his opinions and views regarding the charges he is facing in a criminal trial.
“We noticed that the court did not record what he (Mr Mushaima) said in his statement, which is against the law because everything that comes out of the mouth of a criminal defendant should be recorded in court files,” argued attorney Jalila Al Sayed.
“This case has many political aspects and everything that is said in court is important and should be written down in court documents.”
Lawyers demanded the court clerk write down Mr Mushaima’s statements as he repeats them again- but judges refused, saying they would not be forced to comply with their (lawyer’s) demands inside their courtroom.
However, after lawyers urged the judges to reconsider, saying it was Mr Mushaima’s constitutional right, they agreed to allow him to repeat his statement for a second time.
“I am innocent of the charges set against me and I am shocked that the authorities didn’t have the courage to charge me with the real reason for my arrest, which is my political activities and speeches,” said Mr Mushaima in court.
“I have exercised my constitutional right of practising political freedom and this case is a test to prove to the Bahraini people that our courts are just and our judges are independent and transparent.”
Judges then asked Mr Al Moqdad to enter a plea.
He also claimed that if authorities wanted to accuse them then they should be given the correct charge, which he said involved their political views and speeches – not the alleged terrorist activities.
“I am innocent of these charges and I am proud to stand with the Bahraini people today to show them the truth,” said Mr Al Moqdad.
Lawyers yesterday told judges that Dr Al Singace could not be in court, since he was ill in hospital.
Chaos erupted as the defendants’ relatives and supporters protested outside the Justice and Islamic Affairs Ministry.
Riot police blocked the streets in front of the complex and banned the relatives from standing near the building.
They created a human barrier in front of the complex entrance and demanded identification cards from anyone trying to enter.
Lawyers clashed with judges again as they urged the court to record comments made by the other defendants regarding the torture allegations.
They also claimed the 14 men, who were first arrested, were forced to confess to the allegations.
“These are the details of the case and the torture allegations are important because it shows that the men were forced to confess as the prosecution’s case is mainly based on the confessions,” argued attorney Mohammed Ahmed.
“If the court refuses to record our client’s statements regarding this, then we request you to write that down and record our objections as well.
“As the defence we knocked on every door to help our clients and followed every procedure, but authorities have slammed the doors in our faces, so can’t the court bare two minutes to listen to the statements of the defendants regarding the torture they received.”
Judges argued with lawyers for another 10 minutes, claiming the court’s time couldn’t be wasted on this issue and that the defence should submit a document containing all the details regarding the torture allegations.
“This is not the first time I have presided over a session and won’t be the last, I know what I’m doing and I know the procedures everyone has to follow,” said the presiding judge.
However judges later agreed to allow the rest of the defendants to enter pleas, along with their torture allegations.
One of the defendants, who pleaded not guilty, told judges that the torture he had suffered would bring on a mental illness which runs in his family.
“My mother is mentally ill, which is hereditary and doctors have warned me that I will suffer from the same sickness as a result of the abuse I am facing,” he told the court.
Another defendant, who claimed he was tortured, pleaded guilty to the charges.
When judge asked him if he is aware of the charges set against him, he said, “Yes I did it, I burnt the tyres.”
Lawyers told the GDN after the session that he didn’t know the charges set against him because the case doesn’t involve burning tyres.
They said they would be challenging the entry of a “guilty” plea on his behalf.
The other defendants denied the charges and told judges they were forced to confess as a result of the torture they received in the holding facilities.
They also claimed they weren’t aware they were being filmed when they confessed to the charges.
“We were taken separately to a house where they told us that our case would be presented in front of a senior member of the Royal Family who would talk to the King for us,” they said.
“We didn’t know we were being filmed and they (authorities) forced us to confess.”
The three political figures are accused of promoting and instigating people to change the political system by violent means, inciting people to spread hatred against the ruling system and financing and supporting a terrorist group.
They were arrested in overnight raids on their homes on January 26.
Dr Al Singace was released the following day, but has been banned from leaving Bahrain, while the other two remain in custody. All the others are in custody, apart from two minors.
The others are charged with unlawfully joining groups with the purpose of hampering the implementation of the constitution, the country’s laws and violating citizens’ personal freedoms with the intention of spreading terror.
Lawyers asked the court to release the men from police custody, under a travel ban – but the judges refused.
Lawyers also demanded the prison officials to remove the men from solitary confinement and prevent further abuse.
They also requested a copy of the case files and to allow the defendants be examined by doctors – which judges agreed to.
Judges adjourned the case to March 24 to review the case file and notify the other defendants, those still at large, of the charges set against them.
Police are also still trying to find an unspecified number of other suspects said to have been involved in the crime. noor@gdn.com.bh
——————————————————————————–
© Gulf Daily News
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/story.asp?Article=243862&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=31341