Bahrain Al Wefaq National Islamic Society responded to the Public Prosecution’s statement about the interrogation proceedings with its Secretary General Sheikh Ali Salman stating:
“It is expected from impartial investigation authorities to collect all reachable information regarding the case being looked into, without aiming to abuse the interrogated person
Impartiality requires mentioning the replies and defence details brought by the defendant to confute the charges.
However, the press statements issued by the Public Prosecution Office contain grave abuses against the Secretary General of Al Wefaq. The statements issued by the Public Prosecution Office showed only one side of the picture and hid the viewpoint and defense statements of Al Wefaq’s Secretary General, taking the same approach as its first statement.
The statements of the Public Prosecution Office focused on what it claims to be threats to use military force to change the regime and attached details about this malicious charge against Al Wefaq SG, far from the truth and the impartial role it is supposed to play. These are major fallacies by the prosecutors, as Al Wefaq SG was talking about his refusal of the use of force in the context of vocal calls to the people to adhere to peacefulness and violent acts. The Public Prosecution Office’s statements totally ignored the well-known approach that Sheikh Ali Salman adopts. Refusing military and violent options in public puts a strict end to all possibilities of going or thinking of such unacceptable options.
Al Wefaq stresses that the Public Prosecution Office must be accurate in its investigation. The television interview that was referred to in its statement earlier today mentioned that “he met with groups” that offered the violent option, whereas Al Wefaq SG clearly said that these groups approached him in public, thereby changing facts.
The Public Prosecution’s statement did not mention, at all, where the SG stands from these accusations.
Al Wefaq SG denies these charges, he stood and will always stand in the face of violence. The Secretary General has embraced the peaceful movement in all his speeches.
The statement of the Public Prosecution means to offend the clear stance of Al Wefaq’s SG who has adhered to peacefulness that absolutely rejects the use of violence and military force.
The very same speech his prosecutors based their evidence on is a proof of his innocence. Al Wefaq SG spoke in public mentioning that “Bahrain opposition was offered to take the same path as the Syrian opposition and to make the country a war zone, but the people of Bahrain’s consistency to peacefulness is what protected this country from being pushed into violence”.
The SG should be thanked for this statement instead of being put behind bars.
The Public Prosecution did not allow Sheikh Ali Salman or his lawyers to see the interrogation file before the session. This represents a blatant violation of right to access to legal advice. Legal advice is meant to be based on the questions brought by the interrogators, implying that they must be seen and discussed by the lawyer and his client before the interrogation.
Al Wefaq concluded that the continued detention of its Secretary General is an arbitrary arrest and violation to freedom of expression. It also obstructs peaceful opposition activism and violates international standards, as stated by the UN OHCHR spokesperson.
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source : al Wefaq
Saturday
3 January 2015
11:00:22 AM
662336
Bahrain Al Wefaq National Islamic Society responded to the Public Prosecution’s statement about the interrogation proceedings with its Secretary General Sheikh Ali Salman stating: