Treason: Hearing adjourned to Jan 14

The Public Prosecution yesterday accused Al Wefaq Islamic Society secretary-general of putting the national security at risk with the speeches he had delivered. This came during Ali Salman’s appeal hearing at the Supreme Appeals Court. 

Attorney General Osama Al Oufi has reiterated the Public Prosecution demand to slap the defendant with the maximum punishment for his crime. 

Salman was earlier sentenced to four years behind bars for publicly inciting hatred among a segment of society, insulting the Interior Ministry and inciting non-compliance with the law.  He appeared in the court for his appeal hearing after, both the Public Prosecution and defence lawyers have challenged the initial verdict, as prosecutors weren’t content with Shaikh Salman being acquitted of more serious charges, in the capacity of promoting to topple the regime with the use of force and threatening to resort to military force to change the political system due to lack of evidence.

In his closing argument, Oufi said that Salman’s speeches by no means could be classified as freedom of expressions, affirming that he was targeting to topple the regime. 

“The defendant was clearly aiming to change the political system of the country with his speeches, which is considered a crime,” he added. 

“The Constitution indicates that Bahrain is a constitutional monarchy and the government system of the country is a democracy where all powers vest with the people. But the defendant was falsely accusing the country of not being that. He was also terming our security forces as Daesh (Islamic State) fighters as well as he incited against naturalised Bahraini citizens. Is this freedom of expression?” 

Attending the hearing were Al Wefaq officials, diplomats from the American and British embassies, human rights activists and Salman’s relatives.

The Appeals Court set the date of the next appeal session to January 14, 2016.