Public prosecution issues statement on recently foiled terror acts in Bahrain

 On Saturday 28th December 2013, the Public Prosecution received a report from the General Directorate of Criminal Investigations and Forensic Evidence indicating that Ali Ahmed Mafoudh Al Moussawi, a Bahraini national who is currently residing in Iran, is accused of planning to commit terrorist acts and planting explosives targeting vital installations and sovereign and security locations in the Kingdom of Bahrain, jeopardizing the safety and security of the Kingdom, injuring persons, terrorizing citizens and residents, disturbing public peace, spreading chaos, and preventing Government institutions and authorities from performing their functions.The accused recruited a number of persons, formed an organized group to smuggle various weapons and explosives into the Kingdom, and carry out assignments to commit terrorist acts. In executing this plan, the accused succeeded in recruiting a number of persons in Bahrain to join the group, arranged for their travel to Iran to receive training on the use of weapons and explosives, martial arts, marine navigation skills, and methods of smuggling and concealing weapons, munitions and explosives into Bahrain. The members of that group actually succeeded in smuggling and concealing a shipment of weapons and explosives into the Kingdom. Investigations also revealed that Ali Al Moussawi had called upon one of the leaders of the group to meet with him in Iraq to coordinate the smuggling of another shipment of explosives and weapons.Based on the findings of the investigations, Public Prosecution issued an arrest and search warrant to arrest the accused and search their homes and any of their other properties, to seize any weapons and explosives found in their possession, and any items related to their criminal activities. Public Prosecution’s warrant was executed. Surveillance of the movements of the terrorist group led to the arrest of two of its members who were caught in the act on a boat receiving weapons, munitions and explosives to be smuggled from a boat at sea into the country. Three other accused group members were also arrested.Upon receiving information that the two group members were arrested after receiving weapons, explosives and munitions from a boat at sea, Public Prosecution immediately proceeded to examine the boat used in the act and the items which were seized. However, given the dangerous nature of the explosives that were seized, the examination was postponed until the required protection was made available. With the risks mitigated, Public Prosecution conducted its examination at a secure location. Examination of the seized items revealed a large quantity of explosives and detonators, detonation wire reels, ignition capsules, 50 hand grenades, PK automatic weapons, 1,023 rounds of ammunition, electronic circuits and boards, Thuraya telephone, mobile phones, GPS device, and batteries connected to electrical wires. Public Prosecution also took the two detainees immediately after questioning to the Coast Guard Headquarters, showed them the seized items, while the two accused re-enacted the crime, including how they received the weapons, explosives and munitions and how they stowed them on the boat. During the search of the homes of some of the accused, as well as two locations used to store weapons and explosives, explosive materials, two pistons, rounds of ammunition, and magazines, a mobile telephone connected to an electric wire, electric circuits, and charges ready for detonation after adding explosives produced in the manner they were trained upon in Iran, in addition to welding equipment and various other tools of the types used in the manufacturing of explosives.Public Prosecution interrogated the accused held in custody, namely:1. Alsayed Ali Shubbar Sharaf Shubbar2. Hussein Ahmed Taher Abdulwahab3. Aqeel Abdulrasool Mohamed Ahmed4. Hussein Mahdi Mohamed Ibrahim5. Ali Sabah Abdulmohsen MohamedThey were all faced with the seized items and the evidence collected against them. The accused confessed that they have joined the group to carry out their plans and commit terrorist acts with religious motivations from their points of view, based on Shari’a rulings as they were led to believe by the leaders of the group. They also confessed that they had travelled to Iran and received training by Iranian personnel at Iranian Revolutionary Guard Camps at various locations in Iran. They also confessed having received sums of money after training. Their confessions also included detailed accounts of how they received the seized explosives, guns, munitions and equipment from a boat on the high seas manned by an Iraqi crew, and stated that they reached that boat by using coordinates which were given to them, all upon the instructions of the leader Ali Al Moussawi and other group leaders in Bahrain and abroad. Those instructions also included concealing the smuggled weapons, explosives and tools until the zero hour, to be used at that time in carrying out their plans, targeting vital, sovereign and security installations and assassinating certain figures.According to the confessions of the accused which were made during investigations at Public Prosecution, it was found that they received theoretical and practical training on:The use of weapons, and particular RPGs, Kalashnikovs, M16s and MP15s.Manufacture and use of explosivesNight sniping and marksmanship techniquesCelestial navigation and use of coordinatesMethods of smuggling through sea pointsPiloting boatsLong distance swimmingSurveillance and monitoringPersonal security and avoiding being followedOn the other hand, Public Prosecution investigations revealed that group members received training on dividing their operations onto three subgroups: the first subgroup collects information and determines targeted locations, the second subgroup transports weapons, explosives and bombs, while the third subgroup carries out the operations.Public Prosecution investigations also revealed that one of the accused carried out assignments involving surveillance and photographing certain sites in the Kingdom and reported on them to leaders in Iran.Public Prosecution ordered the accused to be held in custody pending investigation and accused them of collaboration with agents of a foreign country with the intent of committing hostile acts against the Kingdom of Bahrain, joining a terrorist group with knowledge of its objectives and purposes, import and possession of explosives, firearms and munitions without permit for use in activities which undermine public order and for terrorist purposes, training on the use of weapons, munitions and explosives and smuggling them with the intent of committing terrorist acts, and the supply of a group with monies with full knowledge of its intents and purposes and its engagement in terrorist activities, which are crimes punishable under Article 122 of the Penal Code, Articles 1, 2, 3, 6 and 8 of Law No. 58 of 2006 on the Protection of Society from Terrorism, and Articles 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11 and 18 of Legislative Decree No. 19 of 1976 on Explosives, Firearms and Munitions, as amended.Public Prosecution ordered the prompt arrest and extradition of the escaped suspects, and assigned weapons and explosives experts to examine the seized items. It also ordered investigations into certain events and persons mentioned in the confessions of the accused.Public Prosecution affirms that its investigations are continuing from the time it received the first report, in order to follow on evidence and uncover all aspects of the truth as quickly as possible. Findings will be announced when available, unless such announcement adversely affects the course and integrity of the investigation, in order protect evidence and best serve public interest.