The Public Prosecutor announced that a new trial has been ordered for a group of 20 medical staff charged with felonies related to events at the Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain’s largest public hospital. The medics had been found guilty in initial trials in the National Safety Court and were sentenced to periods ranging from 5 to 15 years for crimes that included incitement to overthrow the Government during the unrest in February and March.
Contrary to allegations that the medics were tried for treating patients, the charges included possession of unlicensed weapons; taking over specific sections of Salmaniya Medical Complex; participating in illegal protests on hospital grounds; refusing to treat certain patients; misuse and theft of hospital property and supplies; propagating false news; and inciting sectarian hatred.
In Wednesday’s decision, Dr Ali Al-Boainain, Attorney General, stated that the Department of Public Prosecution has studied the judgment rendered by the National Safety Court on September 28 and determined that the cases should be retried in the civilian courts.
The Attorney General added that “the retrial will be conducted before the highest civil court in Bahrain. The Department of Public Prosecution seeks to establish the truth and to enforce the law, while protecting the rights of the accused. By virtue of the retrials, the accused will have the benefit of full re-evaluation of evidence and full opportunity to present their defences.”
“No doctors or other medical personnel may be punished by reason of the fulfillment of their humanitarian duties or their political views. Pending the outcome of the retrials, the accused shall not be detained.”
He added that he would continue to assess judgments of the National Safety Court in the interest of ensuring compliance with the rule of law, and where he deems it appropriate he will move for retrials before the ordinary judiciary.