Page 142 - Records of Bahrain (4) (i)_Neat

130 Records of Bahrain
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Another-caso' is also pending in which a son of Simile Abdulla is accused
of threatening-his tenants with a revolver’. Simile Abdulla has himself asked
that it bo proceeded with, and his son dealt with. Again another, though,
different type of case, has occurred, which tends to show that lawlessness is on
tiio incrcaso. A nakhudn of the villngo of Galali, imprisoned and kopt in
qhninp for JO or 12 days, a Persian diver, who had run away, The (liver had
undoubtedly been at faulf, but there is no justification for the action of tho
nakhudn. -The Persian being a person under British'protection I requested
.Simile ll'nmad to nrrost tho accused nakhudn pending his trial in tho Joint
Court. Thio lie has done. His action has caused a stir among the othor Arab,
nakhudn- who aro constantly demanding tho release of tho accused beforo trio]{
whioh cannot tnko place till Saturday noxt. Tho Pcrslun escaped, with tho
connivance of the nnkhuda’s wifo, herself a Persian, and was found, and
brought to the Agency with tho chains locked on his legs. 1 sent him to Shuik
Hamad to be scon beforo tho,olmins wero removod.
Al Khnlifch family hnvo nevor had a reputation for ability to tnko strong
action, OBpocially in oases' In which their own family aro concerned, and I fear
that unions soino pressuro’ be brought to bear on Similes Ilamad and Abdulla,
little.or no punishment will bo inlliclcd cm the guilty in tho present ease, and
outrages of this nature will continue until wo shall be forced to take action,
I am inclined to think it. might frighten them, and do good, it* l wero authorised
to write oflioially to Simile Ilamad, under orders from you, asking (for the in­
formation of Government) for an account of tho action taken by him in theso
eases with a view to putting a stop to crime in his dominions. Should you
approve of this, and authorise such a oomnjuuicaliou, I should bo glad if you
would kindly sond me tclogrnphic instructions. Such a letter, if sent in early,
might cause moro energetic action to bo taken in tho present onsc than at pre­
sent seems contemplated by Similes Hamad and Abdulla. I hnvo just now
received a report that Persian Shiahs arc likely to agitate on behalf of their co­
religionists.

Co;ii/ of a Confidential letter No. 123-C., dated 25th September 1923, from thtl
Political Agent, Bahrain, to the Ilon’blc the Political Resident in the
Persian Gulf, Bushirc.
Attack on Bahrain Shiahs.
I have the honour to report, in continuation of my No. 122-C., the action
taken by tho Bahrain Government.
After much delay, Shaikh Hamad and particularly Slmik Abdulla appeared
to realiso that sc'mc energetic action was necessary. On 21st most of tho
accused came into Mannninch and Simile Klmlid was also sent for and brought
in. They were all placed under arrest. On 22nd Similes Ilamad and Abdulla
held their trial.
(1) They found Slmik Khnlid guilty of having encouraged and approved
of tho nttnok, although ho was not present when it actually took placo. They
have ppntonccd him to forfeit his properly consisting of a houso and some small
gardens, in Sitrah, and to romovo from Silrnh and live in tho Town of Mnn-
namch. Ho is also lined I?h, 2,000 whioh is to ho devoted to paying * Blood
money ’• to the relatives of tho murdered man and compensation for loot.
(2) They .found Ali Bin Klmlid guilty of organising and accompanying
tho attuoking party, though at the time lie did not himself carry anna. Ho
has boon sentenced to banishment from Bahrain for life.
(3) Solman Bin Klmlid and ouo Ahdur Jtuz/.uk wero found guilty of
abbotting the attack, although not presont when it was carried out. Sentenced
to bnniehraont from'Bahrain for ouo year.
(4) Two sorvnnts of Ali Bin Klmlid who wero among the attackora and who
wore armed uro-sciucnood lo tiirco years' imprisonment.
(5) Another servant of Ali who is believed to hnvo actually committed tho
raurdor has escaped mid slops arc being takon which it is liopod will lead to
)iia apprehension.
Sheika Hamad and Abdulla hnvo asked mo whether I think Government
will approvo of their notion and hnvo asked for udvico and assistance ns rogarda
the disposal of tho prisoners.
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