Bahrain: Sentences of up to life imprisonment for 14 defendants for joining terrorist groups

The head of the Terrorism Crimes Public Prosecution announced that the Grand Criminal Court had issued verdicts in four separate cases, convicting fourteen defendants of crimes related to joining terrorist groups and acting on their behalf by committing hostile and terrorist acts against the Kingdom of Bahrain and harming its interests. The court sentenced eight defendants to life imprisonment and six others to fifteen years in prison, while fining some of them amounts reaching 100,000 dinars, along with the confiscation of funds and seized items.

According to the Bahrain News Agency (BNA), the details of the facts stem from information that confirmed the findings of the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Evidence. These findings indicated that the defendants had joined terrorist groups plotting terrorist operations targeting the Kingdom of Bahrain, with the aim of disrupting public order and endangering the nation’s security, integrity, and economy. This was achieved through acts intended to harm individuals and spread terror among them, as well as to prevent and obstruct state institutions and public authorities from carrying out their duties.

Investigations further revealed that the defendants were tasked with carrying out sporadic terrorist missions within the Kingdom of Bahrain, as well as transporting, receiving, and handing over funds designated to support and finance terrorist elements affiliated with these groups.

BNA reported that the Public Prosecution launched its investigations immediately upon receiving the reports. It interrogated the defendants who were apprehended within the country, heard witness testimonies, and appointed technical experts to examine the seized electronic devices. The results of these examinations confirmed the accuracy of the investigative findings. The investigation concluded that the roles played by the defendants, in the context of their membership in these terrorist groups, formed a fundamental pillar in executing part of the terrorist acts witnessed in the Kingdom of Bahrain, thereby endangering the country’s security and stability.

Based on the investigation results, the Public Prosecution referred the defendants to the Grand Criminal Court, which heard the cases over several sessions, ensuring all prescribed legal guarantees were respected, including their right to defense. The court ultimately issued the aforementioned verdicts.

In this context, the Public Prosecution reaffirmed its commitment to exercising the powers granted to it by law to firmly confront all terrorist crimes and prosecute their perpetrators. It emphasized its resolve to take deterrent legal measures against anyone proven to be involved, in order to safeguard the security and stability of the Kingdom of Bahrain and protect its interests.

In a related development, the head of the Terrorism Crimes Public Prosecution also stated that the Grand Criminal Court, during its session yesterday, issued two verdicts in two separate cases. In each case, a defendant was convicted of crimes supporting and glorifying the heinous Iranian terrorist attacks against the Kingdom of Bahrain. This was based on posts they shared via social media platforms in support of these attacks. The court sentenced each defendant to ten years in prison and fined them 2,000 dinars, along with the confiscation of seized items.

The Public Prosecution had previously received two reports from the Cybercrime Countermeasures Department of the General Directorate for Combating Corruption and Economic and Electronic Security. The reports indicated the monitoring of two social media accounts containing images, video clips, and comments that supported and glorified the heinous Iranian terrorist attacks targeting the Kingdom of Bahrain.

According to BNA, investigations led to the identification of the individuals behind the accounts. The Public Prosecution immediately launched its investigations upon receiving the reports, interrogating the defendants, hearing witness testimonies, and appointing technical experts to examine the seized electronic devices. The examination results confirmed that the defendants had committed the alleged offenses.

Based on the investigation findings, the Public Prosecution referred the defendants to the Grand Criminal Court, which heard the cases over several sessions, ensuring all prescribed legal guarantees were respected, including the right to defense. The court ultimately issued the aforementioned verdicts.

The Public Prosecution affirmed that freedom of opinion and expression is guaranteed within the framework of the law, and that the use of social media must adhere to legal regulations and must not involve anything that could undermine the country’s security or stability.

It further stressed that publishing or disseminating materials that support, glorify, or justify terrorist acts constitutes a crime punishable by law, due to their impact on national security and social peace. The Prosecution emphasized its continued application of the law with firmness and its readiness to take deterrent legal measures against anyone violating its provisions. It also called on citizens and residents to exercise responsibility when using social media, in a manner that contributes to protecting the nation’s security and stability.