IRANIAN-MADE weapons were seized during a police raid on an illegal protest outside the home of opposition spiritual leader Shaikh Isa Qassim, a court heard.
Officers made the discovery during an operation to disperse demonstrators in Duraz in May last year.
Details of the haul emerged yesterday as 10 policemen gave evidence in the trial of 171 suspects arrested in connection with the 11-month protest, which started after Shaikh Qassim’s nationality was revoked in June 2016 for fuelling sectarian tensions and establishing organisations with foreign links.
“A lot of people illegally gathered outside the home of Isa Qassim in Duraz, where several fugitives took refuge,” one officer told the High Criminal Court.
“I carried out my investigations into the illegal rally, which lasted around 11 months.
“One of the defendants took us to a house and a car, from where we confiscated Iranian-made hand grenades, weapons and explosives.”
Five alleged outlaws were killed and 31 policemen were injured during the operation, in which Molotov cockails, metal rods and stones rained down on security personnel.
One of the injured officers described in court how he was shot in the leg with a metal ball bearing. “I got shot in the left leg by a metal ball bearing, which was fired from a fire extinguisher,” he told judges.
“I had left my armoured vehicle to help my colleagues disperse the illegal rally.
“We were being attacked from everywhere, including rooftops.
“Several of my colleagues were injured after being pelted with firebombs, stones and metal rods.”
Authorities decided to raid the illegal gathering after Shaikh Isa Qassim and two accomplices were convicted of laundering millions of dinars, for which they received suspended jail sentences.
During the protest illegal barricades were set up to stop policemen entering the village.
The defendants face charges of assault, possessing Molotov cocktails, using violence against police, rioting and taking part in an illegal gathering. All the defendants have been released from police custody on bail while the case is underway.
The trial was yesterday adjourned until September 17 for more prosecution witnesses to give evidence.
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