“Today the verdict of the 20 medics was handed down; nine were found innocent, five will be released for time served. The four that were convicted still have their right for appeal. Legal recourses remain,” it added.
“It is important to note that no medic is being charged for treating protestors. The charges brought against the medics were primarily for their involvement in politicizing their profession, breaching medical ethics and, most serious of which, was their call and involvement in the overthrow of the monarchy,” IAA statement added.
Moreover, it said, as confirmed in the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry’s (BICI) report, the medics moved in and out of their roles as political activists and medical personnel. Furthermore, it was established in the report that open areas outside Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) buildings were occupied by protestors who controlled entrances and exits. Meanwhile, most of the ground floor including the Emergency Section, the ICU and the administrative section, were taken over and controlled by medical personnel, resulting in difficulties in the Emergency Section. (BICI Paras 834 and 847).
The Commission found that the occupation and control of the area by protestors hampered general access to the hospital and created a perception of an unsecure environment for those requiring medical care.
Additionally, it found that Some Sunni patients seeking to gain access to SMC for medical treatment were turned away. (BICI Paras 847).