“dangerous” terror cell, no passports? sounds like hatched US assassination plot – inept patsies easy mark for Intel Agencies

Terror suspects ‘forgot passports’
By Sandeep Singh Grewal and Farah Al Kubaisy – November 17, 2011

BAHRAINI suspects arrested in Qatar in connection with an alleged terrorist plot had reportedly been planning to travel to Iran and Syria, but couldn’t because they had forgotten their passports, a lawyer representing two of the men told the GDN yesterday.

Sayed Mohsen Al Alawi confirmed he had been appointed to defend two of the accused, who he identified as Ali Abbas Mubarak and Isa Shamlu.

He confirmed the three others in custody were Shaikh Ali Faisal Al Mostarshid, Emad Abdulhussain and Mohammed Sahwan.

The suspects’ names have not yet been announced by Bahraini authorities, but have been circulating widely on the Internet and on social networking sites such as Facebook.

All five have been charged in connection with an alleged plot to attack targets inside Bahrain with support from Iran.

Mr Al Alawi revealed he had already contacted security officials in Qatar, who told him the suspects had travelled there by car and arrived from Saudi Arabia.

They had entered Qatar using only their national identity smartcards.

The lawyer said he had been informed the men got into an argument at Doha International Airport when they learnt they could not travel by plane to Iran or Syria because they didn’t have their passports.

He said that is when the Qatari authorities became suspicious and detained them.

“They wanted to travel to Syria and Iran, but required passports and visas for entry into these countries,” he said. “But their passports were in Bahrain.”

Bahraini travellers can use their smartcards at electronic gates to travel between GCC countries, but need their passports if they plan to leave the Gulf.

Mr Al Alawi revealed he took up the case of two of the defendants after being approached by the brother of one of them.

However, he said he was yet to meet his clients.

The five men have been remanded in custody for 60 days while investigations continue.

They have been charged with forming a terror cell, obstructing government institutions from functioning, breaching public order and jeopardising Bahrain’s public security and territorial integrity.

Four were arrested in Qatar, allegedly on their way to receive training in explosives and firearms, and were handed over to Bahraini authorities on November 4, while the fifth was later arrested in Bahrain.

Qatari security authorities are said to have recovered documents and a laptop from the four containing sensitive information, as well as airline bookings to Syria.

Mr Al Alawi said Bahrain’s security services were still gathering evidence in the case. “There could be arrests of more suspects during the course of investigations,” he said. ….more