Nabeel Rajab gets 3-years imprisonment

Bahrain’s Lower Criminal Court sentenced Nabeel Rajab to three years imprisonment for participating in illegal rallies and gatherings. Rajab has the right to appeal the verdict in order to guarantee due process to all parties.

The Public Prosecution alleged that Rajab’s participation in the unlawful protests and provocation of his supporters has led to extreme acts of violence and breaking the law.
These include rioting and blocking the roads; arson and other acts of sabotage targeting public and private property; the use of petrol bombs and IEDs; and endangering the lives and welfare of citizens and residents.

The Ministry of Interior (MOI) recently announced that over 700 security force members have been injured so far this year.
Following is the detail statement issued by the Public prosecution:

rosecutor Mohamed Hazza said that the Lower Criminal Court handed down verdicts on Thursday 16 August 2012, sentencing Nabeel Abdulrasool Rajab to three years in prison in three different cases.

“Public Prosecution produced evidence that the accused had called in public speeches for a demonstration to confront public security personnel, inciting violence and escalation against law enforcement officers, resulting in deaths during those confrontations. Following his speech, a demonstration raged through Manama, turning into an illegal assembly intending to undermine law and order, block roads and assault public security personnel” Hazza said.

This offence is added to Rajab’s indictment in two other cases for participating in illegal practices, inciting illegal assemblies and organizing unlicensed demonstrations through social media websites. That incitement caused many riots, road blocks, fires, destruction of public and private property, use of Molotov cocktail bombs, and assault against public security personnel, leaving a number of them injured.

Hazza added “Public Prosecution was as always keen to ensure the respect of all the rights of the accused throughout the investigation. His lawyer attended all hearings to defend him. The court also was keen to guarantee a fair trial, and allowed the defendant to appoint a lawyer. The court also allowed the lawyer to communicate with the defendant and prepare for his defense, giving them ample opportunity during the trial to present all aspects of their defense. It then handed down the aforementioned sentence on that basis”.

In accordance with Bahraini laws, today’s sentence may be appealed before the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.