Over 400 persons set to benefit from alternative sentence order

Over 400 inmates (451 individuals including 388 men, 52 women, and 11 minors) will benefit from the recently-introduced alternative sentence law, Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa said yesterday. This came as General Shaikh Rashid along with Justice Minister held a co-ordination meeting with the legislative members headed by Speaker Fawzia Zainal.

He said that the Interior Ministry had drafted a comprehensive guide that includes the implementation mechanisms of the alternative penalties in coordination with the Justice Ministry and the Supreme Judicial Council and association of the private sector and NGOs to provide community service-related job opportunities.

The minister highlighted the reinstating of the nationality as part of the constitutional values and the reform approach of HM the King for a better future for citizens. General Shaikh Rashid hailed the wisdom of HM the King and his directives to promote the supreme interest of Bahrain.

He revealed that the reinstating of the nationality doesn’t mean canceling, not implementing or reducing the sentences of those convicts. He highlighted that the nationality law tackles the revoking of the citizenship in article 10, as it grants the Interior Minister the right to refer the case of an individual, who causes harm to the Kingdom’s interests and goes against the loyalty to the nation to the Cabinet for the required steps.

The Speaker welcomed the attendees, highlighting that the meeting was part of the co-operation between the legislative and executive authorities to meet the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. 

Ms. Zainal highlighted that the meeting aimed to inform MPs of the latest development in Bahrain and discuss security and legal cooperation. She hailed the efforts of both ministries in the protection of security and stability and the supreme interest of the nation, and activation of the National Plan to Promote the Spirit of Belonging to the Nation and Reinforce the Values of Nationalism.