Terrorists’ appeal hearing adjourned

The High Appeals Court adjourned the hearing of 87 appellants convicted of terrorism, until October 23, 2018, to assign lawyers for them. The appellants are among 115 male defendants convicted in the case for being part of the country’s biggest terror cell. They were earlier handed down tough sentences and had their Bahraini nationality revoked. The appellants were part of Zu Al Fiqar Terrorist Cell, according to court details.

Fifty-three defendants were sentenced to life behind bars, while three men received 15 years’ imprisonment. The sentences also include 10 years in jail for one defendant and seven years in prison for 15 accused. The majority of the convicted men, 37, received five years behind bars, while six defendants were given three years’ imprisonment.

The High Criminal Court, however, dropped the charges against 23 defendants due to lack of proof while the Bahraini nationality of all convicted was revoked. Court files suggest that the cell began its activities in 2013 after it was formed by the first, second and third defendants who invited other defendants to join it.