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Court suspends riot case
By NOOR TOORANI
A COURT yesterday suspended the case of six alleged rioters after information surfaced they were among 178 prisoners and detainees pardoned by His Majesty King Hamad on Saturday.
The Bahraini men appeared before the High Criminal Court for the first time yesterday on charges of allegedly hurling a Molotov cocktail at a police station in Samaheej.
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Court suspends riot case
By NOOR TOORANI
A COURT yesterday suspended the case of six alleged rioters after information surfaced they were among 178 prisoners and detainees pardoned by His Majesty King Hamad on Saturday.
The Bahraini men appeared before the High Criminal Court for the first time yesterday on charges of allegedly hurling a Molotov cocktail at a police station in Samaheej.
Defence lawyers Mohammed Al Tajer and Zahra Masood informed the judges that the men were among those released on Sunday as part of the Royal pardon.
Prosecutors immediately provided official documents confirming the claim.
“We hope such violent acts will not be repeated again because people on all sides have suffered, especially the families of the defendants,” said Ms Masood after the trial.
Mr Al Tajer, however, said he was surprised at the court’s decision to suspend the case indefinitely instead of dismissing it.
“I am shocked at the decision because if a criminal case is suspended for an indefinite period then the court can recall it in the future and continue the trial,” he said.
“But a dismissal of a case means it can never be brought before a court again.
“Article 17 of the criminal procedures law clearly states that a court should dismiss a criminal case in the case of a Royal Pardon, but this concept of suspending a case is new to us (lawyers).”
It is understood judges initially adjourned the case to May 24 to verify whether the men were among those pardoned but they changed their decision after prosecutors confirmed that they were on the amnesty list.
Meanwhile, former president of the now-dissolved Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, Abdulhadi Al Khawaja, is due to appear in court today on charges of allegedly defaming the government and spreading rumours jeopardising public security during a public event.
It is understood Mr Al Khawaja is among those pardoned by His Majesty the King.
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