Bid to smuggle arms: Closing trial on Feb 29

Closings arguments will be delivered on February 29 in the trial of eight defendants involved in a foiled smuggling arms from Iran into Bahrain. Only five of the defendants are in police custody, as the rest are still at large and being tried in absentia.

Two defendants, who are in police custody, have been arrested on a vessel carrying almost 44 kilo grams of explosives, eight automatic assault rifles with 32 ammunition magazines and a number of detonators, according to court files. The other three men have been captured later after investigations.

Apart from attempting to smuggle arms charge, prosecutors charged the defendants with spying for a foreign State, establishing and joining a terrorist croup, training on using arms, grenades and explosives.

The charges against them also include possessing arms, explosives, weapons without a license and with the intention to use them for
terrorist purposes.

It’s worth noting that the Ministry of Interior on Saturday announced the foiling of a conspiracy to smuggle high-grade explosives, automatic weapons and ammunition from Iran. 

The Interior Ministry revealed that it had intercepted a vessel heading towards Bahrain on July 15, in a joint operation co-ordinated alongside the Coastguard, Police Aviation Unit and Royal Bahrain Naval Force. 

Prosecutors say that the first and second defendant participated in militia training at military camps in Iran. 

Photo: english.ahram.org.eg