JUSTICE MINISTER DISCUSSES COUNTER-TERRORISM LAW

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001213

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP AND DS/IP/NEA
LONDON FOR ETHAN GOLDRICH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/02/2029
TAGS: PREL PGOV KJUS PTER BA KSEC
SUBJECT: JUSTICE MINISTER DISCUSSES COUNTER-TERRORISM LAW

REF: MANAMA 1120

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Susan L. Ziadeh for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY. On August 2, Minister of Justice Jawad Al
Arrayed stressed to Charge that there is strong political
will at the highest levels of the GOB to fight terrorism and
ensure national security. Minister Al Arrayed told Charge,
in confidence, that H.M. King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa is
personally lobbying members of Parliament to ensure passage
of Bahrain's new counter-terrorism law. This law is designed
to fill any gaps that exist in the criminal code to combat
terrorism. Al Arrayed also intimated that the King in his
capacity as Head of the Supreme Judicial Council, legally
ordered the Attorney General to resolve his communication
issues with the police and prepare a solid case against the
six Bahraini terror suspects (see reftel) within the context
of Bahraini law. Al Arrayed said the King wants to send a
strong message to those elements that challenge security,
"Don't play games with the security of Bahrain." END SUMMARY.

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BAHRAIN's CT LAW
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2. (C) The Justice Minister told Charge that in November
2003 the King personally tasked him to draft a
counter-terrorism law. He explained that this law is
designed to fill any gaps that exist in the criminal code to
fight terrorism. The Justice Minister added that the law
passed Cabinet review and now requires Parliamentary
approval. Al Arrayed expects there to be some debate in
Parliament, because there are some who view the
counter-terrorism law as a direct response to US concerns.
However, Al Arrayed stressed to Charge that the King wants
this law to move forward and he has personally started
lobbying members of Parliament to ensure the law's passage.
Parliament will convene for its third session in October.

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DUE PROCESS - BAHRAINI SIX
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3. (C) Responding to Charge's request, the Justice
Minister clarified judicial procedure as previously reported
(see reftel) with regards to the case against the six
Bahraini terror suspects. He expects the case to go to
trial, but did not specify when. The Justice Minister
acknowledged that there are communication problems between
the Ministry of Interior and the Public Prosecutor's Office
that have created unwarranted obstacles. He added that the
separation of the Public Prosecutor's Office from the
Ministry of Interior (less than one year ago) and the youth
and inexperience of some prosecutors also contributed to
communication difficulties.


4. (C) Al Arrayed said nonetheless, the King personally
ordered the Attorney General to fully cooperate and
communicate with the Ministry of Interior to prepare the case
for the prosecution within the context of Bahraini law.
Minister Al Arrayed explained that with regard to legal
issues, the Prosecutor's Office comes under the jurisdiction
of the Supreme Judicial Council. The King is the Head of the
Supreme Judicial Council and as such has the legal right to
order the Attorney General to responsibly carry out his
duties.
ZIADEH