The first National Safety Court heard six cases, stated the Military Prosecutor. In the first case, 17 people stood trial for forming a gang using white weapons, attacking other people and protesting illegally.
The court adjourned the case to June 23 to enable defence lawyers to study the case documents. The case of those accused of kidnapping, hiding a person and protesting for terrorist ends was also adjourned to the same date. During the hearing, the suspects pleaded not guilty, but the Military Prosecutor insisted that investigation results and medical report are enough evidence to indict them.
The court will hear the witnesses’ testimonies during the next session. Seven other suspects appeared at the court again today over charges of kidnapping security officer Seifullah Mohammed, stealing and hiding his belongings.
They, too, will stand trial on June 23 so as to allow lawyers to study the case documents. Mohammed Isa Ali Al Tajer, who was accused of taking part in illegal gatherings and inciting the hatred of the ruling system, was also tried on Thursday.
The court decided to adjourn the case to June 23 and asked the defence to name witnesses, if there are any, before June 19 so as to be summoned. Six other defendants, who were tried today over allegations of attempted murder and participation in illegal protests, will reappear at the court on the same day. The court also decided to appoint a lawyer for one suspect.
The last case, in which ten people faced charges of causing a lasting deformity, breaking into a private house and ravaging it, attacking people and jeopardizing the country’s safety, was however, adjourned to June 29. During the hearing, the court accepted the defence request to allow two evidence witnesses, to deliver their testimonies.
The lawyers asked one of them whether he could speak Arabic, and he said “no”. One defence witness will deliver his testimony during the next session. The court also accepted the lawyers’ request, asking it to contact the Military Hospital in order to get information about the victim’s health and whether he could answer questions about the incident.