Manama – Bahrain’s Interior Minister Lieutenant General Sheikh Rashid Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa suspended on Wednesday three senior officials following the attack on Jau prison that killed one policeman and enabled 10 convicts to escape.
Khalifa ordered the suspension of the General Director of the Reformation and Rehabilitation, Head of the Reformation and Rehabilitation Centre in Jau and the Director of Security and Protection, and referred them to the Public Prosecution affiliated with the Courts Directorate of the Interior Ministry.
“The decision follows the recommendations of an investigation committee that was set up by the Interior Minister to investigate the circumstances of the terrorist attack on the Reformation and Rehabilitation Centre in Jau on January 1,” according to the statement carried by Bahrain News Agency (BNA).
On Sunday, a group of armed men attacked on the Reformation and Rehabilitation Centre in Jau with automatic rifles and pistols.
The attack by the cell, made up of four to six members, happened at 5.30am and led to the death of a policeman identified as Abdul Salam Saif Ahmad, while a second policeman suffered moderate injuries during the clashes with the terrorists.
Bahraini PM Khalifah bin Salman Al Khalifah stressed that investigation will continue until the perpetrators are revealed. He also confirmed the government’s determination to stop such crimes and prevent any similar attacks from happening further again.
Later, Ministry of Interior accused Iran of supporting terrorism. The ministry posted tweets on its twitter account saying that Ahul Bayet channel described the Jau attack as “successful”. The ministry added that this shows Iran’s direct support for terrorist acts and determination to intervene in Bahrain’s internal affairs.
A security source at the ministry told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that accusing Iran of involvement in the terrorist operation on Jau is the result of constant media instigation and support to Iranian channels and other media outlets loyal to Tehran.
The Bahraini Council of Representatives strongly condemned the armed terrorist attack on Jau, which claimed the life of a policeman and the escape of several terror-crime convicts.
The council issued a statement denouncing the criminal attack carried out by an extremist group which targeted destabilizing Bahrain’s security and stability.
The parliament also said it will back all measures taken by the government for the protection of the kingdom’s stability and safety of citizens and residents. It firmly expressed rejection of the blatant foreign interference in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
It called upon international organizations and parliaments to condemn the terrorist acts to maintain the security and stability of the region.
The council expressed confidence in the capabilities of the security agencies in bringing the fugitives to justice, extending condolences to the family of the victim.