Bahrain on Friday reiterated its commitment to transparent, fair and independent judicial system and defended the decision of the court issued earlier on Wednesday convicting 21 defendants for inciting hatred, carrying out violence and attempted to overthrow the elected government.
The defendants have been tried in National Safety Courts presided over by two civilian judges and a military judge. All defendants have had access to legal council and the full breadth of rights guaranteed to all Bahrainis under its advanced, impartial and transparent legal system. These rights include the ability to appeal the issued verdicts within fifteen days of their being handed down.
On Wednesday last, the Military Prosecutor of Bahrain Lower National Safety Court announced that 21 individuals had been convicted of plotting to forcibly topple Bahrain’s government, inciting violence, destroying property and passing forward sensitive intelligence information to a proxy terrorist organization working for a foreign country.
Nawaf Almuawdah, Publications Publishing director-general and Acting Foreign News director-general and IAA spokesperson stressed Bahrain’s commitment to a transparent and fair judicial process but noted that no country could tolerate armed protestors seeking to violently overthrow the government.
“Democracy and the rule of law are not new concepts for Bahrain. Historically, Bahrain’s judicial system has ranked amongst the most transparent and advanced in the Middle East. The government’s commitment to these core precepts is unshakeable. But so is our commitment to keeping peace on our streets and maintaining public safety,” he said.
Almuawdah said that protests in Bahrain began peacefully, but distinguished those convicted of crimes as individuals that participated in violent demonstrations aimed at threatening public order and security.
“Moderate opposition is a byproduct of any healthy democracy and Bahrainis have all the right to voice their opinions and ideas freely. The protests which started in February began peacefully and those who called for legitimate reform were welcomed to voice their demands in total freedom. The government is committed to working with these individuals and their counterparts in our forthcoming National Dialogue in order to make progress on legitimate political reform and social welfare,” he explained. “
However, no sovereign country can tolerate violence against the government. Those individuals stood accused of committing crimes, as corroborated by compelling evidence. They conspired with foreign terrorist organizations and attacked state police. They blocked roads, barred access to public facilities, destroyed property, and closed off the financial harbour which systematically brought the national economy to the edge of collapse. The government cannot and will not stand for those who call for violence and attempt to destroy the very fabric of Bahrain’s society. Under our legal system each accused individual has been afforded the right to due process and a fair, transparent trial,” he continued.
“The outcome of these trials cannot distract us from our ultimate goal and the government has been unwavering and unrelenting in its call for a comprehensive National Dialogue, since February. The forthcoming talks will be an important opportunity for all sides to reconcile and settle political differences. We must work together towards a stronger, brighter future for a democratic Bahrain,” Almuawdah added.