Manama : The Head of the Terrorism Crimes Prosecution announced that the Public Prosecution has initiated cassation appeal proceedings before the Court of Cassation against the acquittal of an individual charged with financing and supporting terrorist fugitives based in Iran and participating in intelligence activities with them to carry out hostile acts against the Kingdom.
The Head of the Terrorism Crimes Prosecution said the appeal was lodged against the acquittal, particularly as the judgment’s reasoning demonstrated the court’s conviction that the defendant had committed unlawful acts constituting offences closely linked to the charges against him. He added that the defendant is regarded as one of the key individuals actively involved in terrorist activities in the Kingdom by arranging and providing financial support.
The defendant had been charged with joining a terrorist group, participating by agreement and assistance in intelligence activities with a foreign state with the intent to harm the Kingdom’s interests, financing terrorist operations, and providing financial support to those responsible for carrying them out. These charges were based on conclusive evidence deemed sufficient to support a conviction.
The Head of the Terrorism Crimes Prosecution further stated that the Public Prosecution is conducting separate investigations into the defendant’s involvement in laundering funds obtained through the unlawful collection of money in violation of the law and in financing terrorism. Investigations established that he had collected funds for these purposes and used them to finance terrorist operatives and affiliated entities.
He noted that the extensive investigations conducted so far have established that the defendant collected more than BD21 million over the past five years alone. The funds were allegedly transferred to fugitives in Iran to support them and the intelligence agencies with which they were collaborating, as well as to finance terrorist plots targeting the Kingdom. The Public Prosecution is preparing to refer the case to the competent court.
The Head of the Terrorism Crimes Prosecution affirmed that the Public Prosecution remains fully committed to taking all necessary legal measures and procedures as part of its investigations into terrorism cases to identify and disrupt sources of support and thereby undermine terrorist plots targeting the Kingdom. He stressed that it will continue to exercise all powers granted under the law to pursue terrorism in all its individual and financial dimensions.
