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would not speak. As a result, all the defendants refused to defend themselves

throughout the trial.

The documents collected to form the basis of the accusations were found at

the homes of the defendants, other members of the NUC, and the Party’s offices in

Manama. Setting up the Scouts movement and its activities were used in the

indictment of the five members of the Movement. The tribunal also brought

forward the press accounts of Al-Bakir’s statements abroad and circulars produced

by the NUC in which it had called those who had collaborated with the

Administration ‘traitors’. Letters from Al-Shamlan to Al-Sadat on local affairs were

produced in evidence that attempted to serve as pièce justificative against Al-

Shamlan.

Belgrave was present at the tribunal to testify against Al-Bakir vis-à-vis the

latter’s promise to conduct a peaceful and orderly procession. The tribunal also

used a letter submitted by the Ruler on 22 July 1956 to the NUC holding the Party

responsible for disturbances that would result from their calls to go on strike. 875 A

British officer from Bahrain’s police represented the prosecution. The verdict was a

fait accompli and was reached on 23 December. It called for the imprisonment of Al-

Bakir, Al-Shamlan, and Al-Alaiwat for fourteen years and E Fakhroo and Ibn Musa

for ten years. According to Gault villagers from Budaiya were granted permission to

witness the trial but locals from Manama and Muharraq were not permitted entry.

As for the other fifty members and or supporters who had been arrested, eight were

released and twelve more followed. Some of those released were banished to up to

875 TNA, FO 371/126895, Résumé of the Proceedings against Five Members of the Committee of
National Union.

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