Iran Dismisses Bahraini Allegations in Court Ruling

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson slammed the “baseless allegations” against Tehran raised in a Bahraini court ruling that has handed down prison sentences to scores of Bahraini people.

In a statement on Wednesday, Abbas Mousavi condemned a Bahraini court ruling that has accused Iran of supporting terrorist elements in the Arab country and has sentenced 139 Bahraini people to prison, condemning it as a “groundless allegation as usual.”

“The government of Bahrain cannot cover up its brazen violation of human rights and the suppression of protestors in that country by putting the blame on the others, raising bogus accusations, issuing cruel court rulings, and accusing the other countries,” he added.

Mousavi also advised the Bahraini authorities to ensure security by building confidence and correcting their interaction with people instead of relying on failed coalitions and paying heavy costs to purchase security.

He finally called on Bahrain to satisfy the legitimate demands of its people and stop imposing cruel sentences on protesters instead of trying to fabricate security scenarios.

His comments came after a court in Bahrain handed down prison sentences to 139 people, including 69 life sentences, for terrorism offences. All but one also had their citizenship revoked.

Bahrain’s public prosecutor, Ahmad al-Hammadi, said in a statement on Tuesday that some of the defendants had been trained in Iran, Lebanon and Iraq at the behest of Iran.

Reports suggest that the convicts have been accused of building a cell called “Bahraini Hezbollah” in order to sow discord in the Persian Gulf nation.

Those tried were found guilty of training with and using illegal weapons and explosives, detonating bombs and attempted murder, and other sentences handed down ranged from between three and 10 years.

Tasnim News Agency