Bahrain: A former police lieutenant has been jailed for 10 years for illegal firearms possession.
Defence lawyers claimed former intelligence officer Adel Flaifel obtained the weapons for self-defence after previously escaping an assassination attempt, alleging the Interior Ministry was aware he had firearms.
However, the High Criminal Court yesterday jailed him for 10 years and fined him BD500 following an 11-month trial.
The defendant is in custody, but refused to attend court to hear the verdict.
He was among eight Bahrainis charged with possession of weapons including AK-47 rifles, pistols, shotguns and ammunition.
His seven co-defendants, who worked as his personal security, were each handed three-year prison sentences and BD500 fines, but also failed to show up in court to hear the verdict.
Weapons confiscated included a 35.5mm rifle and 9mm, 8mm, 5.5mm and 4.5mm pistols.
“Investigations revealed the defendant (Mr Flaifel) possessed several firearms and ammunition without obtaining a licence,” stated court verdict documents.
“He then handed out weapons to his co-defendants so they could use them to guard him.
“Search and arrest warrants were issued and authorities found firearms and ammunition at his home.
“One of the defendants helped him stash the weapons at his own home, before returning 20 of the firearms to Mr Flaifel’s home.
“All the ready-for-use weapons were confiscated by authorities.
“The defendants confessed to the charges and the court, which trusts prosecution witness evidence, finds the defendants guilty of possessing unlicensed weapons and ammunition.”
The former police lieutenant has already been jailed for a total of three years and four months for fraud, defamation, insults and embezzlement.
One of his convictions was for reneging on a business deal after persuading a foreign company to pay him BD1.25 million to be a partner in a poultry firm.
noorz@gdn.com.bh
&uuid=(email))