One year on, 13 May Day protesters in custody await verdicts
Twelve men and one woman on trial over the assault of a police officer during a mass anti-government protest on May Day remain in custody nearly a year later, awaiting a verdict from the criminal court five months after hearings concluded.
28 Apr 2016, 9:00 AM
Twelve men and one woman on trial over the assault of a police officer during a mass anti-government protest on May Day remain in custody nearly a year later, awaiting a verdict from the criminal court five months after hearings concluded.
Scores of protesters and two police officers were injured during violent clashes on May 1. The police at the time released video footage showing protesters kicking and hitting a fallen Specialist Operations officer over the head with his helmet and baton.
Of the 15 suspects arrested, four were charged with assault using a dangerous weapon, an offence that carries a seven year jail term, and the rest were charged with aiding and abetting the crime, which carries a jail sentence of between three to five years.
Mohamed Iqbal, 50 years, was found guilty of assault last month and sentenced to seven years in prison whilst the criminal court acquitted one defendant, Usman Hussain, citing lack of evidence.
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