Arms training: Two young men face trial in court

Manama

Closing arguments will be heard on October 29 in the trial of two persons suspected of receiving militia training in Iran. 

Among the accused is a 21-year-old student who was pursuing bachelor’s degree from an Arab university. He was reportedly recruited by radical groups to carry out attacks against security forces, according to court files. 

The other accused, aged 31, is in Iran and is being tried in absentia. The 31-year-old fugitive allegedly convinced his co-accused to join an extremist group called Bahraini Hizbullah. 

The latter was then sent to Iran to receive arms training at a camp operated by the Popular Mobilization Units.  The 21-year-old was trained in making improvised weapons and using grenades.

“One day I received a friendship request from a stranger on my BlackBerry Messenger. I accepted it and we started chatting,” the 21-year-old said in his statement. 

“I was then pursuing my bachelor’s degree at a university. He offered to take me to Iran and train me in using weapons, so that I can attack police officers back in Bahrain,” he added.

The accused stated he asked for three weeks’ time to contemplate the offer, but later agreed to it.

“He covered my travel expenses, and I received arms training as I was promised. They also showed me video tutorials on attacking armoured vehicles,” the accused said. 

He was arrested upon his arrival in Bahrain, following a police tip-off about his overseas activities. 

The 31-year-old is implicated in several other terror cases for allegedly recruiting Bahrainis to join radical groups.

 It’s worth noting the Bahraini Hizbullah group has claimed responsibility of a number of attacks against the security forces in Bahrain.