File 522/1922 Pt 4 'Persian Gulf: Bahrein: Internal' [‎262v] (529/616)

the Baharnah during the past two or three years and the introduction of the
reforms, was very apparent in this demonstration. The Baharnah would no
more have dared to do such a thing a few years ago than fly over the moon.
5 . Sheikh Hamad, as mentioned above, arrived about 11 and the Political
Agent and I had a lengthy interview' with him ; in w hich by stating that I
had been sent specially by Government to go into the affair and assuming a
mysterious air on the subject of the intentions of Government in regard to
the case we were able to thoroughly frighten Sheikh Hamad who agreed that
he would try the men he had arrested and also the ringleaders who had
absconded in absentia, and if he found them guilty inflict severe and deterrent
punishments. In regard to Sheikh Ibrahim and the other son of Sheikh
Kbalid, he agreed to inflict a very severe punishment (which except for the
confiscation of their property and the resumption of their allowances would be
nominal as he could not get hold of them) and offer a rew T ard for their appre
hension. This we thought would meet the case as it would effectively prevent
them from returning to Bahrein which was our principal object. Sheikh
Hamad also agreed that Sheikh Muhammad bin Isa, who had been carrying
on the administration during his absence, had behaved very badly, and said
he would reprimand him very severely and tell him that if he did not play up
to the reformed Government he would lose his allowances.
y*
6 . After the interview with Sheikh Hamad was over, Sheikh Khalid was
called in. He is a very old man and w r as already very alarmed thinking he
might be arrested and deported forthwith. He at once agreed to come and
live in Muharraq—having been given the choice of living there or in Manama-
on a reduced allowance, and declared he would discourage his sons and followers
from such acts in future. As there are still a good number of bad characters
in Rifa, Sheikh Hamad agreed to send out some one he could trust to the place
to keep them in order.
7. After my return I received a telegram from the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. saying
that the trial had passed off successfully, and subsequently a letter, No. 32-C.,
dated 29th January, a copy of which is annexed, reporting the result of the
trial. It will be seen from this that Sheikh Hamad sentenced Sheikh Ibrahim
and certain others who had absconded to the death penalty and confiscated
their property which is to be used to pay double blood money to the relatives
of the murdered people, and offered a reward of Rs. 20,000 for their
apprehension.
He further sentenced various persons to varying terms of imprisonment
from 10 years to 6 months.
In doing this Sheikh Hamad has acted up to the promises to me and
punished the offenders in an examplary manner which will, I hope, have a
deterrent effect and tend to prevent future outrages of the sort. I thin
Sheikh Hamad deserves commendation for this, as he is acting directly contrary
to the traditions of his family and to the views of its living members.
Memorandum from the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Bahrein, to the Polittcai
Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , No. 32-C., dated the 29th January
1924).
Subject. — Outrage on Shiahs of Sitrah.
I beg to report that I attended the Court of the Ruler, in accordance with
your instructions, to watch the interests of some of the parties w !jL ^
foreigners, and in accordance with the personal request of Sheikh
made in your presence.
The evidence was fairly recorded and the trial was. fairly ^
ducted. The evidence of the witnesses for the prosecution wa ^
conclusive and left no shadow of doubt as to the guilt 0 e( j
accused. The latter put up very little defence. Some of the a ^
attempted to prove an alibi, but the evidence of their witnesse^ ^
not convincing and in no case covered the hours in which ^ e . outr j® j^tiDg
committed. One accused was acquitted owing to the prosecution a