By Noor Zahra
Gulf Daily News
MANAMA, Bahrain — Inmates locked prison guards inside a cell during a riot and then tried to electrocute them by pouring water on electrical appliances, a court heard.
The prisoners were angry after three BlackBerry devices were confiscated during a routine search at Dry Dock Detention Centre, in Hidd, according to one of the guards.
Nineteen inmates appeared at the High Criminal Court yesterday, charged with assault and damaging Interior Ministry property.
They allegedly attacked prison guards during the riot on August 16, but all 19 pleaded not guilty yesterday.
One of the prison guards told prosecutors that he and seven others were overpowered and locked in a cell by inmates who went on a rampage.
“We heard that some inmates had illegal items in their cell like mobile phones and other equipment,” the 38-year-old said in his statement.
“We could not find anything in the first cell we searched, but we found three BlackBerry mobile phones in another cell.
“The inmates got angry that we confiscated their mobile phones and started shouting at us and chanting political slogans.
“They then started throwing soft drinks cans at us, shoving us and attacking us.
“They removed doors and broke them, threw lamps and destroyed fridges.
“They then poured water on the ground, where there were electrical items, to kill us.
“They locked us in a cell and left us in it.
“Officers then rushed to our help and took us out of the cell.”
The suspects were allowed to speak in court and claimed they were the ones who had been attacked.
“We did not attack anyone, we were in fact attacked by officers and should be the victims in this case,” a 31-year-old inmate told judges.
Another accused guards of using excessive force.
“They sprayed pepper spray in my face - and it hurts,” the 35-year-old said.
Meanwhile, a 25-year-old inmate claimed the case was political.
“We are in this case for political reasons - that’s why we are here,” he said. The trial was adjourned until November 26 for review.