Bahrain: Terrorist Group Affiliated with ‘Saraya al-Mukhtar’ Referred to Judiciary

A general view of Manama, Bahrain. (Getty Images)
A general view of Manama, Bahrain. (Getty Images)
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Bahrain: Terrorist Group Affiliated with ‘Saraya al-Mukhtar’ Referred to Judiciary

A general view of Manama, Bahrain. (Getty Images)
A general view of Manama, Bahrain. (Getty Images)

Bahrain’s Terror Crime Prosecution referred on Tuesday 18 suspects to the judiciary after they were charged with forming, joining and financing a terrorist group, possessing explosives, weapons and ammunition, murdering a police officer and assisting terror convicts in escaping from prison.

The group is affiliated with "Saraya Al Mukhtar", an organization listed as terrorist by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain in June 2017.

Terror Crime Chief Prosecutor Ahmed al-Hammadi indicated that the suspects, including seven who are in custody, have been referred to the High Criminal Court for a hearing on April 23.

Hammadi indicated that 11 members of the cells are still at large inside and outside of Bahrain.

Members of the organization are also accused of transferring weapons, explosive devices and collecting funds for distribution to other members of the terrorist group. They also planned the escape of convicts from the Salmaniya Medical Complex out of Bahrain.

The suspects also monitored the movement of security forces to target them in attacks.

The Prosecution relied in its investigation on witness accounts, technical and forensic evidence and the confession of some of the accused.

The terrorist cell was also divided into several groups that operate separately. Each group was assigned a particular duty, such as developing explosive devices or planting bombs to target police. A third group was tasked with distributing arms, explosive charges and money to fellow members.



Saudi Arabia Slams Israel’s Gaza Takeover Plan, Ethnic Cleansing and Starvation of Palestinians

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in NEOM on Tuesday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in NEOM on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Slams Israel’s Gaza Takeover Plan, Ethnic Cleansing and Starvation of Palestinians

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in NEOM on Tuesday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in NEOM on Tuesday. (SPA)

The Saudi government strongly condemned on Tuesday Israel’s plan to take over the Gaza Strip, accusing it of “ethnic cleansing and starvation of Palestinian civilians”.

It warned that the “international community and United Nations Security Council’s ongoing inability in stopping these violations is a direct threat to regional and international security and peace and will only encourage Israel’s genocidal practices and forced displacement of Palestinians from their land.”

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the cabinet meeting that was held in NEOM.

The ministers reviewed the latest regional and international developments, leading with the developments in the Palestinian territories.

The cabinet welcomed Australia’s announcement that it intends to recognize the State of Palestine, and the possibility that New Zealand may follow. It said that these moves reflect growing international consensus over the two-state solution and the establishment of a Palestinian state according to the 1967 border and with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Crown Prince Mohammed briefed the cabinet on the talks he held with Jordan’s King Abdullah II during their meeting in NEOM on Monday. Discussions focused on bilateral ties between Saudi Arabia and Jordan and coordination over regional and international issues, starting with the developments in the Palestinian territories.

Crown Prince Mohammed briefed the cabinet also on the telephone talks he held with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday. Abbas expressed to the Crown Prince his country’s gratitude to the Kingdom’s efforts towards garnering greater international support for the recognition of the State of Palestine.

On international developments, the cabinet reiterated the Kingdom’s support for efforts to reach a peaceful solution to the Ukrainian crisis. It was briefed on the telephone talks held between Crown Prince Mohammed and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday.

The cabinet welcomed the peace agreement signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan last week, hoping it will help consolidate stability in the Caucasus and pave the way for a new phase of cooperation between the neighbors.