Bahraini.TV

Knives and bricks threat to police

by mahmood on 31/12/09 at 9:58 am · email  · print  

Police allegedly attacked when they forced their way into a house to arrest a man, admitted in court yesterday that they did not have a warrant.

The Bahraini is standing trial at the High Criminal Court, where he denies assaulting police, threatening them and resisting arrest.

Police went to his Hamad Town house in April to arrest his cousin, who was wanted in another case, the court heard.

But the defendant, in his 30s, came out carrying knives and a shovel, say prosecutors.

He later ran to the roof, threatening to throw bricks at police if they tried to enter the house, it is claimed.

Police waited for back-up then entered the house and subdued the defendant as he struggled with them, the court heard.

Defence lawyer Ahmed Badawi yesterday cross-examined two policemen who were at the scene and admitted to judges they didn’t have a warrant to enter the defendant’s house.

They also said the defendant’s cousin escaped from the house before police could arrest him.

“We went to the defendant’s house to arrest his cousin, because we saw his (cousin’s) car near the house and we were informed he was inside,” they told judges.

“But when we knocked on the door and asked to see him (cousin) because we have an arrest warrant (for his cousin), the defendant came out holding two knives and started threatening us.

“We waited until backup arrived and then entered the house to arrest both of them.

“But we didn’t have a warrant to enter his house or to arrest him (the defendant).”

Mr Badawi asked judges to release his client from police custody, arguing he has been detained for nearly nine months.

Judges rejected his request and adjourned the case to February 1, to summon further witnesses for cross-examination.

It is understood the cousin has since been arrested and tried but no further information was provided about the case.