KUWAIT: The Court of Appeals, presided over by Justice Hani Al-Hamdan, begans proceedings yesterday in the case of the Imam Al-Sadeq Mosque blast, allowing the suspects’ lawyers to deliver their defense. On November fifth, the court hearing focused on the civil claimants’ pleadings.

On October 29, the court heard the testimony of the case’s officer in a closed-door-session. On October 25, the Court of Appeals heard the testimony of defendant Abdulrahman Aidan who was sentenced to death by the Criminal Court, where he and other defendants denied their previous confessions.

The Criminal Court had sentenced seven suspects to death, eight to two-15 years in prison, but acquitted another 15 suspects. The defendants are accused of spreading terror, committing murder, joining an internationally-banned group that promotes toppling the ruling system with illegitimate means, namely terrorism, thus threatening the country’s national unity.

The court had held its first session on the explosion on August fourth, to look into the cases presented against seven Kuwaiti defendants, five Saudis, three Pakistanis, 13 illegal residents and one fugitive with unidentified nationality.

The Public Prosecution had demanded tough sentences against the defendants, as the prosecution’s representative had presented thorough details on the case. They also provided visual evidence on the role of the 29 defendants in the blast, including hiding vital evidence and helping the driver, Abdulrahman Eidan, to escape. The terrorist attack took place on June 26 during the holy month of Ramadan, leaving 26 worshippers dead and 227 others wounded. The blast sparked wide-scale condemnations from Arab, Muslim and other countries which rejected all forms and manifestations of terrorism. —KUNA