Abdul-Hadi pleads not guilty
Saturday, October 16, 2004I was planning on attending Abdul-Hadi's court session scheduled for this morning, but I wasn't able to make it unfortunately. It seems like I missed some action.
From AP via the Guardian:
MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) - A human rights activist who publicly blamed Bahrain's prime minister for economic failures and rights violations pleaded not guilty Saturday to inciting hatred against the government and circulating false information about top officials.
Abdul-Hadi al-Khawajah's hearing was delayed for about 90 minutes when dozens of supporters jamming the courtroom became unruly, shouting "God is great!" and "Live, live Abdul-Hadi!" and waving signs with the activist's picture while they climbed on each other's shoulders to see him.
...
Abduljalil Singace, spokesman for the Shiite-backed Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, warned "the situation will really get out of control" if al-Khawajah is not freed.
"Sentiments are sky high because people feel Abdul-Hadi is unlawfully detained," he said.
The first attempt to begin Saturday's court session was aborted because of the commotion in the courtroom, and al-Khawajah was hustled away from the courthouse. He returned 90 minutes later to find that the crowd outside the courthouse had grown to about 200 supporters shouting slogans against the prime minister.
"Khalifa, lift your hand! The nation doesn't want you!" they shouted.
Police told the crowd to settle down, but did not intervene. They squeezed al-Khawajah through the crowd and, gasping for breath, he was pulled into the courtroom.
Wearing a burgundy suit and handcuffs, al-Khawajah entered his "not guilty" plea during a 10-minute court session.
He did not say anything to supporters or the court but spoke briefly with his wife and daughters before being whisked away. Al-Khawajah's wife, Khadija al-Mousawi, cried as her husband entered and left the courtroom.
"He has done nothing wrong," she said, accompanied by their four daughters.
A defense request to release al-Khawajah on his own recognizance was denied.
Al-Khawajah could be sentenced to a maximum of three years in prison for inciting hatred and two years for circulating false information, defense lawyer Mohammed Ahmed said.
"My client is innocent," Ahmed said. "We hope he will be released soon."
Al-Khawajah's next court hearing was scheduled for Wednesday.
10/16/2004 06:54:00 pm
damn.. his poor family.
I doubt he'll be found innocent.
The Khalifas are a sham.