Renowned singer Ali Bahar mourned
Transkript
Renowned singer Ali Bahar mourned
Email: gdnnews@batelco.com.bh gdn1@batelco.com.bh Gulf Daily News Monday, 4th July 2011 Renowned singer Ali Bahar mourned n Mr Bahar ... to be buried today RENOWNED Bahraini singer Ali Bahar died yesterday after an illness. He was pronounced dead at Salmaniya Medical Complex at 11am, three days after being admitted to the hospital suffering from shortness of breath. “Pneumonia started to spread and he had to be put on artificial breathing machines,” his brother Ebrahim Khamis Bahar told the GDN. “His health deteriorated later that night until he had kidney failure early Sunday morning.” Men paid their condolences at the Abu Thar Al Ghafari Hall in Isa Town and women at his brother Ebrahim’s home in A’ali. The singer will be buried at the Muharraq Cemetery at 8am today. “Bahar left two children behind, Mohammed, 15 and Yousif, aged six,” said Ebrahim. By FARAH AL KUBAISY Born and raised in Muharraq, Mr Bahar started playing music at the age of 12 and later spent several years in Sharjah. He returned home to record a number of albums that proved popular among fans in the Gulf and across the Arab world. Known for his strong and unique vocals, esteemed music and humble personality, Mr Bahar continued to sing and perform in national concerts and international music festivals. He was the lead singer, guitar and organ player in the Bahrain band Al Ekhwa (The Brothers), which he formed in 1986. It became one of the most successful bands in the Arab world and its albums were among the highest selling made in Bahrain. Unrest cases may be reinvestigated ONGOING criminal cases related to Bahrain’s unrest could be reinvestigated, it has emerged. Sources told the GDN over the weekend that all cases still underway in the National Safety Court would be transferred to civilian courts, based on a Royal order issued by His Majesty King Hamad on Wednesday. A top official said yesterday that civilian judges receiving cases in which verdicts had not yet been issued could order a reinvestigation by the Public Prosecution service. Alternatively, Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry UnderSecretary Salim Al Kowari said witnesses who had already testified in National Safety Court hearings could be summoned again for cross-examination in civilian proceedings. By BASMA MOHAMMED of the main guarantees for defendants,” explained Mr Al Kowari. “The move comes from a Royal wish to ensure more guarantees for defendants in civilian courts.” However, as of yesterday no cases had been officially forwarded to civilian courts. “The Supreme Judicial Council will be the body in charge of paving the way for cases to be handled by the right court, once cases are transferred,” said Mr Al Kowari. The National Safety Court is not a military court, but hearings are presided over by a military judge and two civilian judges, while cases are pursued by military prosecutors. Mr Al Kowari said this was the first time that cases had been handled by a National Safety Court in Bahrain. He added that defendants would be informed of their next court appearance in the civilian court ahead of schedule. “As the law states, every defendant should be informed of their court date,” he said. basma@gdn.com.bh Journalists to learn their fate in October A VERDICT in a case involving four journalists accused of publishing false news reports about Bahrain’s unrest will be issued in October. Their lawyers submitted final defence papers to the High Criminal Court, claiming their clients were innocent and should be acquitted. Witnesses had during the last hearing claimed the journalists were not going to office at the time of the offence. They earlier told judges that following an attack on the paper’s Press department in March reporters were asked to send in stories from home. Employees were only working until 2pm and the paper’s headquarters was left to the watchful eyes of the security guard, according to one of the witnesses. The journalists alleged the secretary of the editor-in-chief Ali Al Sherify was the only other person in the office to check news stories. Al Wasat was briefly suspended after being accused of falsifying six news articles, but began publishing again after its editor-in-chief Mansoor Al Jamri and two other men on trial – British managing editor Walid Noueihed and Bahraini head of local news Aqeel Mirza – were replaced in April. The journalists have denied fabricating news with the intent of causing instability. They face a fine or up to two years in prison, if convicted. Mr Al Jamri earlier acknowledged six false articles appeared in Al Wasat, but said they were e-mailed to the newspaper from the same IP address as part of an apparent campaign to plant disinformation. He previously presented three pieces of evidence to show the paper was in contact with His Majesty King Hamad and other top officials, in addition to letters to the Interior Ministry asking for help after its offices were attacked in March. The case was adjourned to October 11. n Drugs two behind bars TWO Bahrainis were yesterday jailed for a year and fined BD5,000 each for using drugs. The High Criminal Court acquitted the men of drug dealing for lack of evidence. Police received information that the men, aged 31 and 25, were dealing in heroin. They were arrested after selling heroin for BD20 to an undercover agent on February, according to court documents. Witnesses “As per the law, judges have the right to order a new investigation into cases of National Safety Courts,” he told journalists yesterday. “The decision will be entirely up to the civilian courts after cases are transferred.” However, he stressed that did not apply to cases in which verdicts had already been issued. He added the order by the King reflected his desire to ensure a fair judicial process. “Civilian courts open the floor for the Cassation Court (the highest court in Bahrain with power to overrule appeal court verdicts), and that is one 7 n Jailed for assault n The Bahrain Air delegation with Turkish officials on arrival in Istanbul Bahrain Air launches Istanbul flights BAHRAIN Air has started its direct flights to Istanbul, Turkey, it emerged yesterday. The inaugural flight left Bahrain on Friday with Bahrain Air managing director Ibrahim Al Hamer and commercial operations director Richard Nuttall, among others. It was received at Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen International Airport by airport chief commercial officer Server Aydin and chief executive officer Gokhan Bugday. Mr Al Hamer said the route would provide a boost to tourism in Bahrain and Turkey as well as support the growing commercial ties between the countries. “We anticipate this route will enhance the existing passenger and cargo load capacity between the two countries and boost bilateral trade,” he said. Bahrain Air operates a two-class Airbus A320 to Istanbul, configured to carry 156 passengers with 12 seats in the Business Premium class and 144 in economy class. A MAN was yesterday jailed for a year for sexually assaulting a Bahraini woman. The man was convicted by the High Criminal Court of rubbing his body against the woman in a mall’s lift in November last year. He was also found guilty of hitting the victim’s sister with his motorbike helmet after she shouted at him. The man also verbally abused the two women along with their friend. He confessed during investigations that he liked the victim and decided to follow her as she entered the lift with her sister and friend, according to court documents.