US Navy Ships Target of Terror Plotters
US Navy ships in Bahrain were the target of an alleged terror attack, it was claimed in court yesterday.
Two Bahrainis, accused of smuggling weapons into the country, planned to attack US ships and personnel at Mina Salman, say prosecutors.
They, aged 22 and 21, were arrested on April 26 – the day of the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix – when police allegedly seized machine guns, weapons, computer discs and other evidence from their homes in East Riffa.
Both appeared before the High Criminal Court for the first time yesterday, where they denied plotting terror attacks and smuggling weapons and ammunition into the country.
Police believe the pair had met members of a terrorist cell (Al Qaeda) abroad.
Their arrest came after National Security Agency received information that the 22-year-old unemployed man, of Jordanian origin, had intensified contacts with the cell in Iran.
Officers obtained a search warrant and found tapes, CDs, computers, bank statements and exchange company documents in his house.
He then led police to the other – a 21-year-old junior customs officer – who possessed the smuggled weapons.
Police raided his house and found two machine guns, a pistol, bullets, knives and swords, the court heard.
They also seized several books on building missiles, rockets, weapons and explosives, and pictures of the American Base and Navy ships along with research and videos on jehad, alleged prosecutors.
