UK COURT SENTENCES BAHRAINI TERRORIST AND CHILD ABUSER TO 12 YEARS IN PRISON
A fugitive wanted in Bahrain for terrorism-related crimes has been sentenced in the UK to 12 years in prison for repeatedly sexually assaulting three underage girls, with the youngest victim being only five years old.Qassim Hashim, aged 59, was convicted on four counts of indecent assault, four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, and three counts of sexual assault without penetration.
The verdict was delivered by Judge John Anderson at Harrow Crown Court in London.
It is reported that he will serve his sentence at Wormwood Scrubs prison, notorious for overcrowding and poor conditions.
Originally, Hashim faced 14 charges including rape and beating, but was acquitted of those.
He was on the run after being sentenced in absentia to 15 years by a Bahraini court in 2013 for establishing the Coalition of February 14, a terrorist group responsible for several attacks in Bahrain, including ATM bombings and explosions that resulted in two deaths.
Hashim was part of a group of 12 men found guilty of directing the movement from abroad.
Formerly, he was also arrested in the UK for allegedly supporting terrorism in Bahrain and Yemen, along with another suspect, Abdulraouf Al Shayeb.
The case was built on testimonies from three of Hashim's victims, who revealed that he sexually abused them over many years.
The first victim was 11 when assaulted in 1996, and he assaulted her multiple times until 1999.
The second victim, only five at the time of abuse, was touched sexually by Hashim, with the abuse continuing until 2013, when she was penetrated after turning 13.
The third victim was under 13 when sexually touched between 2008 and 2010.
Court documents indicated escalating abuse over the years.
The article highlights that Hashim's actions were uncovered through victim testimony and that he has a history of criminal activity including child sexual abuse.
The UK authorities have convicted and jailed him, and calls have been made for his extradition to Bahrain after serving his sentence.
The case also raises concerns about background checks on foreign asylum seekers, according to Bahrain human rights representatives.
