‘No US serviceman involved’
Bonny Mascarenhas
Staff Reporter
The US Fifth Fleet yesterday refuted allegations that a US navy personnel was involved in the shooting of Bahraini hotel security guard Abbas Ali Salman Al Shakoori on Friday.
Media Officer, Lieutenant Denise Garcia and Lieutenant Commander Charles Brown, speaking to the Tribune, said: “There is nothing to indicate that a US service member was involved.”
Excerpts of the interview:
What is the reaction of the US Navy to the allegation?
The US Navy in Bahrain has been cooperating with the investigation by Bahraini authorities, and currently there is nothing to indicate that a US service member was involved.
‘No US serviceman involved’
Bonny Mascarenhas
Staff Reporter
The US Fifth Fleet yesterday refuted allegations that a US navy personnel was involved in the shooting of Bahraini hotel security guard Abbas Ali Salman Al Shakoori on Friday.
Media Officer, Lieutenant Denise Garcia and Lieutenant Commander Charles Brown, speaking to the Tribune, said: “There is nothing to indicate that a US service member was involved.”
Excerpts of the interview:
What is the reaction of the US Navy to the allegation?
The US Navy in Bahrain has been cooperating with the investigation by Bahraini authorities, and currently there is nothing to indicate that a US service member was involved.
Is it possible for US service members to carry weapons off base?
Only in performance of official duties.
Who would be legally licensed to carry a firearm off the base and under what circumstances would they be allowed to use one?
For all US military and civilian personnel, the purchase, possession, use or sale of privately-owned firearms, ammunition, explosives or the introduction of these items into the Kingdom of Bahrain is prohibited. Further, US military personnel and civilians are only allowed to carry weapons for official duties and use the weapons only in self defense.
What would be the course of legal action taken if it was a US navy person?
We would take into account all circumstances and decide on the best course of disciplinary action. We will not speculate on hypothetical scenarios.
Would the service person be tried in Bahrain’s criminal courts or face a court martial?
We would continue to work with Bahrain authorities.
Had there been any incidents in the past where servicemen off base were found in possession of firearms without prior clearance of the US navy or Bahraini authorities?
Not to our knowledge.
Bahrain Tribune Newspaper-
