Manama: Bahrain’s Court of Appeals yesterday postponed the trial of Ali Salman, the secretary general of Al Wefaq society, to October 14.
The appeal was against the four-year jail sentence pronounced by the Higher Criminal Court in June.
Advocate General Haroon Al Zayani said the appeal hearing began yesterday following “a conviction of inciting non-compliance with the law, publicly inciting hatred — an act which had disturbed public peace — and insulting a statutory body.”
Ali Salman, 49, was convicted of the charges following investigations into recordings of public speeches and sermons that promoted extremist views, incited violence and encouraged the use of force against the kingdom’s authorities, referring to such acts as a religious duty, he added.
“In line with Bahrain’s Penal Code, these acts constitute a clear contravention of the law,” he said. “In accordance with the law, the defendant was subsequently questioned on the content of these recordings in the presence of four lawyers. Evidence submitted to the courts included examples of repeatedly making public threats about the possibility of carrying out military-style ...[operations] in the kingdom, in a similar manner to other factions and groups in the region, and the possibility of resorting to this option at any time. Additional evidence included instances wherein the defendant called upon global powers to intervene in the kingdom’s internal affairs and support the overthrow of the government, on the grounds that it would serve their interests. Other evidence included statements made by the defendant that called for the reinstatement of the disbanded Islamic Council of Scholars, as well as incitement against naturalised Bahraini citizens, accusing them of disloyalty and terrorist acts.”
Al Zayani added that investigations “found that the defendant publicly announced that the opposition had been offered similar military assistance to that given to the Syrian opposition. Evidence was also presented which proved the defendant had held meetings overseas with groups that offered him access to arms, and that supported the call for violent unrest in Bahrain.”
Al Wefaq leader acknowledged the acts and content of the statements and admitted delivering the public speeches and sermons that were highlighted by the investigation, Al Zayani said.
“In light of this, the Public Prosecution presented its case at the Higher Criminal Court, where the trial took place over six consecutive sessions. The defendant was found guilty of publicly inciting hatred, an act which disturbed public peace, inciting non-compliance with the law and insulting public institutions, and was sentenced to four years. The defendant was acquitted of all other charges.”
The Advocate General said the defendant appealed the verdict handed down by the Higher Criminal Court.
“The Public Prosecution too has appealed the court’s decision to acquit the defendant of the charge of promoting political change using illegal forceful means and threats. In addition, the Public Prosecution has appealed against the length of the sentences in relation to the guilty verdicts, as the Public Prosecution does not feel the sentences reflect the seriousness of the offences,” he said.
“The defendant attended the hearing and his legal team were present throughout. The Public Prosecution’s representative requested that the defendant be convicted of the acquitted charge of promoting political change using illegal forceful means,” Al Zayani said.
