ALLEGATIONS of prisoner abuse at the hands of security forces will be investigated by civilian prosecutors under amendments to the Public Security Law approved by the Shura Council yesterday.

Security personnel charged will also be tried in civilian courts.

They were previously investigated by military prosecutors and tried in a military court, although cases connected to last year's unrest have already been transferred to the civilian justice system.

The Shura Council vote yesterday will make that a permanent arrangement and is based on a Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) recommendation.

"At the moment all cases against security personnel are being looked at the Military Prosecution and Court, but cruelty is not a work-related crime - it is a violation of individuals' human rights based on a personal act or decision," said foreign affairs, defence and national security committee chairman Dr Shaikh Khalid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa.

"The Public Prosecution and regular courts have started looking into cruelty cases as recommended by the BICI, but there is no legislation that will enable the judicial authority to take further action.

"This is why amendments to the public security law have been made to ensure that responsible individuals face trials in line with what they have done or are accused of."

The amendment will now be ratified by His Majesty King Hamad.