Bahrain Mirror: The fourth high criminal court in Bahrain sentenced two defendants to life imprisonment for the murder of a young man (Sayed Ahmad Mousa) in Diraz and dumping his body in an empty area, and handed down to two others 5 and 3-year prison terms.

In its ruling, the Court stated that in view of the circumstances of the case, the fourth defendant received a measure of clemency within the limits permitted by articles 72 and 73 of the Penal Code, and the third received a reduced sentence pursuant to articles 70 and 71 of the Penal Code, since he is under 18.

The Public Prosecution stated that on October 4, 2016:

The first three defendants intentionally inflicted severe physical pain on the victim, who was held by them and under their control, in order to obtain information about an act he was suspected of doing, for the purpose of intimidating and coercing him into giving information. This resulted in severe brain, lung, chest, back, abdomen and limb injuries, according to the forensic report. The act of torture also led to the death of the victim. The defendants along with unknown persons had unlawfully held the victim against his will using force, also stealing two mobile phones owned by the victim.

The fourth defendant was also accused of deliberately causing severe physical pain to the victim by beating, who was held by them and under their control, in order to obtain information about an act he was suspected of doing, for the purpose of intimidating and coercing him into giving information. This resulted in injuries included in the forensic report and the act of torture led to the death of the victim. He was also accused of agreeing with the first three defendants to lure the victim to the location of the incident, since he is his friend, and meet him there. Thus the crime was based on that agreement and assistance. He also participated with the three accused, and other unknown persons, by agreement and assistance, to obstructing the victim's freedom by force and without any legal grounds, after he agreed to lure him to the location of the incident as a friend whom he trusts. Therefore, the crime was based on that agreement and assistance. The third defendant was accused of damaging the movables mentioned in the minutes and owned by the victim.

Human rights groups challenge the facts attributed to defendants over doubts cast upon the independence of the Bahraini judiciary, whose members are appointed by royal decrees, ruling are based on confessions extracted under torture, and evidence provided by secret investigations and anonymous witnesses.

Arabic Version