Bahraini Attorney General Ali Fadl Al-Buainain said that only one case has been referred to the military judiciary since a constitutional amendment was passed, allowing the prosecution of civilians in military courts.

Detainee Fadhel Abbas' family reiterated their demands to allow them visit their son, expressing fear over his safety, especially that he has been held since over 225 days; i.e. more than 7 and a half months. The family further stated that they couldn’t visit their son even for one time, noting that the last time they saw him was on his arrest day, on September 2016.

Two civilians will be tried on terrorism charges in a Bahrain military court for the first time under new amendments issued in March that have drawn sharp condemnation from rights groups.

The British Daily Mail newspaper said that Bahrain has referred its first civilian case to a military court following a constitutional amendment approved by the king last month, according to Amnesty International.

Amnesty International described referring Sayed Fadhel Abbas to military courts as “serious blow for justice” in Bahrain, indicating that there are fears of him being subjected to torture.

Netherlands recommended Bahraini government to cancel the latest constitution amendment that allows military courts to try civilians.

Member of the Committee against Torture (CAT) of the HRC’s Office of High Commission for Human Rights, Mr. Abdelwahab Hani, expressed concerns over the possibility of arbitrarily trying civilians before military courts in Bahrain.

Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa approved on Tuesday amendments to some of the military law provisions after the amendments were passed by the Shura Council and the Council of Representatives.

The United Nations expressed concerns about a number of restrictions in place in Bahrain, notably on fundamental freedoms.

Bahraini human rights organizations issued a joint statement saying that the latest constitutional amendment concerning the military judiciary’s authorities, which the King ratified, shall lead to the failure of the military institution.

The King of Bahrain ratified a constitutional amendment today that paves the way for military trials of civilians, in yet another example of Bahrain’s efforts to dismantle access to justice and fair trial, said Amnesty International on its website.

The King of Bahrain ratified today Monday (April 3, 2017) the constitutional amendment allowing the military judiciary vast authorities, including trying civilians.

The United States of America refrained from criticizing the constitutional amendment recently conducted by Bahrain, allowing military courts to try civilians.

Bahrain Justice ministry files lawsuit to dissolve Wa’ad society, while parliament approves constitutional change allowing military courts to try civilians amid fresh crackdown on dissent and human rights.

Brian Dooley said the decision allowing civilians to be tried in military courts “is the final kiss goodbye to any pretense of the rule of law.”