Ministry lies and deception continue to be brought to light regarding Salmaniya

GDN: Minister ‘lied about deaths’
Gulf Daily News- 21 March, 2012

FORMER health minister Faisal Al Hamer allegedly ordered ambulances to stop going to the former GCC (Pearl) roundabout during the unrest, a court heard yesterday.

He also lied about the deaths of protesters during the initial stages of last year’s troubles, according to video footage shown by defence lawyers in the case of 20 medics convicted of carrying out serious offences during the turmoil.

The 50-minute production stated the minister had taken the decision to stop ambulances from reaching the former roundabout based on orders from the Interior Ministry.

It included an interview broadcast on Bahrain TV showing Dr Al Hamer saying there were no civilian deaths between February 14 and February 17.

However, a narrator in the video said four people died during that period.

The video claimed this included one person who died at the former roundabout after ambulances failed to reach injured civilians in time as a result Dr Al Hamer’s orders.

It also showed medics holding rallies at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) calling for the resignation of the former minister, who was removed from his position during a Cabinet reshuffle at the end of February last year.

“This rally was no different from the other pro-government rally held by medics at the SMC in May last year earlier broadcasted on Bahrain TV,” said the narrator.

The video also featured a recording of a call between paramedics and police, which showed authorities ordering ambulances not to go to the roundabout.

“A civilian called for an ambulance to be sent to the roundabout,” said a paramedic. …more