The Bahraini, in his 20s, was convicted of manslaughter by the High Criminal Court yesterday.
He was sentenced to seven years behind bars – the maximum punishment for the charge – after being found guilty of causing the death of Ali Abdulhadi Mushaima, who was the first protester killed following the outbreak of demonstrations in February 2011.
Mr Mushaima died on February 14 from injuries he suffered from a pellet gun during a protest in Daih.
Attacked
It was claimed the victim was shot with a single bird shot to the back.
Around 600 people were attacking police patrol jeeps with stones and metal rods at the time of Mr Mushaima’s death, according to court documents.
The defendant, who had pleaded not guilty, was not present in court yesterday for the ruling.
He had been released from custody on guarantee of his place of residence.
The senior judge said the officer received the maximum sentence in connection with the charge.
"The defendant was handed the maximum sentence possible," he said.
He also ordered the case to be sent to the Civil Court for the victim’s family to receive compensation.
The defendant earlier told judges that the victim approached him with something in his hand, forcing him to shoot, but he did not intend to kill him.
His testimony was supported by a witness, another policeman, who claimed the defendant only fired at Mr Mushaima in self-defence after the deceased charged at police with a weapon in his hand.
He also claimed Mr Mushaima then got to his feet and ran away.
Earlier, extensive police radio communications dating from February 14 were played over monitors in court.
Police audio reportedly recorded shortly before the incident suggested that officers were coming under attack by hundreds of people armed with firebombs.
Police officers could be heard describing how they were confronted from different directions by protesters and were ordered to block roads leading to the former GCC (Pearl) Roundabout, now known as the Al Farooq Junction.
