Major General Tariq Hassan, Bahrain’s Chief of Public Security during a Press conference made a formal announcement of the arrest of three Bahraini suspects in Riffa Mosque car bombing namely Hussain Hassan Abas Al Madhoon, 25; Ali Mohammed Habib Mohammed Ashor, 34 and Zuhair Jassim Mohammed Abass, 32.
The Police Chief said that it was too early to determine that foreign hands were behind the bombing. The Police had spotted the vehicle used in the crime at the camera footage which covers the most of the areas in Bahrain.
“As a result of the ongoing investigations that involved cooperation and coordination between many entities, authorities have managed to apprehend three suspects. However, more details can emerge as part of the ongoing investigations,” General Tariq said.
“They were referred to the public prosecution and their confessions were recorded, while the search to identify and arrest additional suspects continues. The investigation has so far revealed that the car bomb operation was pre-planned. This included choosing the busiest time at the mosque with the most cars in the parking lot and the most people arriving at the mosque to pray,” he added.
“Those involved in the crime stole two cars in Salmabad; a dark blue Chevrolet SUV and a private pickup. A homemade bomb made out of two gas cylinders connected to explosives and a remote detonator was placed in one of the SUV. The first suspect, Hussain Al Madhoom drove the car that was detonated, while the second suspect Ali Mohammed Habib drove the second car that was used for the escape. The two vehicles drove from Karzakan to Riffa. Hussain Al Madhoom parked the car near the mosque, got into the second stolen car and then the bomb was detonated before escaping the area. Investigators traced the movement of the two cars via CCTV security footage, in addition to physical evidences found in the scene such as finger prints and DNA samples.”
The explosion was reported on 17 July 2013 at around 8:30 PM to the main police operation room. Civil defence and police patrols, the crime scene team and the forensic lab team were deployed immediately to secure the location and to collect forensic evidence such as finger prints.
The initial investigation revealed that the dark blue Chevrolet SUV was cut in half and gutted by the explosion. Fragments of the car were scattered over a radius of about 50 meters. A number of nearby cars were also damaged.
At the crime scene, the police collected evidence that includes the base of the two gas cylinders, a pipe and several wires. They also found a damaged battery and the remains of a screen from a mobile phone. An electric wire was found inside the pipe which is a common method used to detonate gas cylinders in various areas.
The investigation revealed that the two gas cylinders were most properly remotely detonated by using a mobile phone and that the cylinders were supported by a tank that contained flammable liquid to increase the power of the explosion.
According to evidences, the mercy of God prevented heavy casualties at the scene. Especially since the explosion took place during the holy month of Ramadan when many people visit the targeted mosque to perform Taraweeh.
Investigators remain concerned that the intention of the plotters of this crime and those who carried it out was to drag the country into disastrous civil clashes and internal strife.
“Finally, I would like to compliment those who cooperated in this investigation, including members of the community who assisted in the identification and arrest of the suspects. I affirm that the police are committed to performing their duties to protect the stability and security of the nation and that they are carrying out those responsibilities within the law, regardless of challenges they may face,” General Tariq said.