A Bahraini high criminal court on July 1 acquitted two police officers on trial for the torture of six Shi’iite doctors during the uprising against the Sunni regime in 2011. The Grand Criminal Court’s Third Chamber acquitted the two officers of all charges due to the lack of adequate evidence that the officers engaged in the torture of two female and four male doctors in March 2011. Both officers, one being Bahraini princess Noura Bint Ebrahim al-Khalifa who serves in Bahrain’s Drugs Control Unit, denied the charges. Prosecutor Nawaf Hamza will appeal the decision if they find error in the court’s reasoning.
From Jurist, July 2. Used with permission.
Bahrain protesters jailed for entering Pearl Square
A Bahrain court on July 4 sentenced 29 protesters to one month in prison for entering Pearl Square, an area that has been heavily fortified since the Bahrain uprising. The area was once the center of opposition activity. Opposition leaders have called for increased protests, inspired by the recent ouster of Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi. The defense lawyer for the protesters, Mohamed al-Wasti, has stated that the protesters plan to appeal the court’s ruling.
From Jurist, July 6. Used with permission.
Bahrain reduces sentences of officers in torture case
A Bahrain appellate court on Oct. 27 reduced the prison sentences of two police officers convicted of torturing and murdering a detainee after opposition protests in March 2011. The lower court sentenced the officers to seven years in prison in December, but the appellate court reportedly reduced the sentences to three years. The officers were convicted of killing Abdul Karim Fakhrawi, publisher and co-founder of Al Wasat Daily, a news company that allegedly showed support for Shiite-led protests against the Bahraini government in March 2011.
From Jurist, Oct. 27. Used with permission.