Nine jailed in Bahrain for forming ‘terror’ cell

AFP/Manama

Cleric Ahmed al-Majed and a second defendant were jailed for 15 years, while a third defendant was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

The three were the only defendants to appear in court, as the other six remain at large and were sentenced in absentia to 10 years, the source said.

The first two were convicted of “forming an illegal group that aimed to jeopardise the rule of law and obstruct state institutions from performing their duties... through using terrorism”, the source said, quoting the list of charges.

The other seven defendants were accused of joining the group despite knowing of its “terrorist objectives”.

All defendants were convicted for “possessing explosives”, the source added.

Scores of Shias have faced jail terms over accusations of involvement in violence since protests erupted in February 2011.

Despite a crackdown by security forces in mid-March 2011, supported by Saudi-led Gulf troops, protesters were shortly back in the streets, mainly in Shia villages, where they frequently clash with police.

At least 80 people have been killed in Bahrain since February 2011, according to the International Federation for Human Rights.

Meanwhile, thousands of people rallied in the Shia village of Nuwaidrat, south of Manama, to welcome an imprisoned opposition leader who was released briefly for his mother’s funeral, witnesses said.

Supporters filled the streets yesterday to welcome Abdulwahab Hussein, the head of the Shia Wafa Islamic Movement.

Hussein was to return to prison later, Al Wefaq, the Shia main opposition group, said on its website.

He is serving a life sentence with six other opposition leaders and activists after being convicted of plotting to overthrow the monarchy.

They are part of group of 21 sentenced to jail terms ranging from five years to life over their roles in the nationwide protests.

Seven were sentenced in absentia.