Trial of 14 suspected terrorists begins

The High Criminal Court yesterday opened the case of 14 people, accused of being part of the terrorist organisation Saraya Al Ashtar (Al Ashtar Brigade), which has claimed the responsibility of several fatal terrorist attacks – including the 2013 Al Daih bombing that claimed the lives of three police officers.

Two among the accused, aged 26 and 39, were the alleged ringleaders and have been accused of funding and operating the terrorist organisation. They have also allegedly helped five of their co-defendants to travel to Iraq to receive militia and weapons training, according to court files.

The others allegedly plotted attacks against members of the security forces in different areas including Sanabis, Meqsha, Duraz and Hamad Town. This resulted in injuries to policemen along with damages caused to police and civilian vehicles, according to prosecutors.

Although 10 are in police custody, the alleged ringleaders along with two other men are still at large and will be tried in absentia. The masterminds allegedly provided the group with explosives and assigned two persons to recruit Bahrainis and carry out the attacks, according to a Public Prosecution statement issued last month. The 10 in custody have been charged with joining a terrorist group, causing several explosions, possessing bombs, receiving militia training, attempted murder of policemen, assaulting officers, rioting, participating in an illegal gathering, possessing Molotov cocktails and causing damage to property.

Caption: Officers carrying the body of a colleague killed in Al Daih bombing two years ago (File)