Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Bahraini Parliament Approves Constitutional Amendment to Allow Military Trials of Civilians | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
Select Page
Media ID: 55367946
Caption:

Bahrain Shura Council and House of Representatives in Manama. (MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH/AFP/Getty Images)


Manama – Bahraini Council of Representatives approved Tuesday a constitutional amendment to allow military trials of civilians involved in terror incidents or attacks on security or military personnel or facilities.

After a lengthy session attended by officials of the military judicial system, the parliament approved the amendment of Item (b) of Article 105 of the constitution concerned in granting military judiciary broader authority.

Prior to the amendment, the Item stipulated that the power of military courts is confined to military crimes involving staff of the Bahrain Defense Force (BDF), National Guard and Public Security, and that its power shall not extend to others, but only when the martial law is declared.

The amendment is important for countering attacks on military and security personnel and facilities in the Kingdom, Deputy Speaker of the Council of Representatives Abdulhaleem Murad told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper.

He clarified that the security and military personnel have been facing growing attacks from terrorist groups which prompted the lawmakers to take an action to protect Interior Ministry, Defense Ministry and National Guard personnel in particular and all Bahraini people in general.

Murad added that martial courts in the Kingdom provide guarantees for fair trials similar to that given by civilian courts.

He pointed out that many regional countries such as Egypt, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates have been tapping military courts and no human rights or trial fairness guarantees violations were recorded there.

Deputy Speaker concluded that goal of the constitutional amendment and the law is to achieve the national interest and retaining security in the Kingdom.

Ministry of Interior announced it had arrested 20 individuals wanted in security cases, of which one admitted to killing First-Lt Hisham al-Hamadi. Among the arrestees four women charged with aiding and abetting fugitives and eight members who received military training on arms and the use of explosives in Iran and Iraq. Two others were involved in setting up secret bomb-making warehouses.

First-Lt Hamadi was shot dead in Bilad al-Qadeem on January 29.

The arrestees who were involved in executing the jailbreak and sheltering fugitives are: Sadiq Ahmed Mansoor Ahmed, 27; Amira Mohammed Saleh Abdul Jalil, 35; Faten Abdul Hussein Ali Nasser, 41; Hameeda Juma Ali Abdullah, 40; Mona Habib Adris Saleh, 46; Mohammed Saleh Abdul Jalil Ahmed, 65; Abdul Shahid Ahmed Ali al-Shaikh, 37; Ahmed Hassan Redhi, 23; and Abul Fadhel Mohammed Saleh Abdul Jalil, 24.

While Al Dair arrested group for various terrorist crimes involved: Jaffar Naji Ramadhan Ali Humaidan, 22; Yousif Hassan Mohammed Hassan, 22; Ali Hassan Abdul Ali Hamaad, 30; Mohsen Ahmed Ali al-Naham, 24; and Mohammed Hassan Abd Ali al-Naham, 46.

The ministry also announced the names of several arrestees in various crimes: Ahmed Isa Ahmed Isa Al Mulali, 23, confessed to murdering officer Hisham al-Hamadi, saying he was assigned to do so by Hussein Dawood who escaped to Iraq; Ahmed Ali Ahmed Yousif, 20, set up secret warehouse of explosive in his house; Salman Mohammed Salman Mansoor, 31, provided satellite phones to assist the escape of fugitives; Hussein Mohammed Salman Mansoor, 36, provided satellite phones to assist the escape of fugitives; Hussein Isa Ahmed Ali Al Shaer, 34, received military training in Iran; and Hani Younis Yousif Ali, 21, assisted with another suspect in setting up a secret warehouse of explosives.

The General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science has taken legal steps and referred the suspects to the Public Prosecution.