Fake bomb: Court cuts prison term on appeal

TDT | Manama

The Supreme Criminal Court of Appeal lowered the prison terms of a Bahraini man by two years, considering his young age. The defendant was sentenced last year to five years in jail for planting a fake bomb on a commercial road in Isa Town, along with four others aged between 21 and 31 years.

According to court files, the suspects also took part in an illegal gathering in Jid Ali in Isa Town as directed by the fifth defendant, who is a fugitive abroad wanted for several crimes. The four men, including the appellant, placed an object resembling an explosive device, intending to spread fear and terror among people in the area. The object was placed near a Ma’atam (religious/community centre) in the area. The defendants confessed during interrogations that they handled different responsibilities in executing the crime. Some were responsible for surveilling the area, while the others planted the object, a black cooling cylinder of an air conditioner with pipes and wires duct-taped to make it look like an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

When notified, police and explosive unit rushed to the scene and cordoned off the area only to find the fake object. Ensuing investigations led to the arrest of the defendants, who were referred to the Public Prosecution. On 10 December 2016, the Public Prosecution accused them of planting an object resembling an explosive device in a public place with terrorist intentions. The four were also accused of participating in an illegal gathering of more than five for committing crimes and disrupting public order. The fifth defendant was convicted in absentia of inciting, agreeing and assisting the defendants with terrorist objectives.