Bahrain: Sentences of up to 15 years in prison for six defendants in cases of supporting Iranian aggressions and joining a terrorist group
The Grand Criminal Court in Bahrain sentenced three defendants to up to 10 years in prison on Tuesday in three separate cases, for supporting and endorsing Iran’s terrorist attacks on the Kingdom of Bahrain, obtaining and broadcasting prohibited data, and photographing locations where photography is banned.
The Bahrain News Agency (BNA) quoted the Deputy Head of the Terrorism Crimes Prosecution as stating that the court also fined some of the defendants amounts reaching 5,000 dinars and confiscated seized items.
The incidents underlying the cases stem from the Public Prosecution receiving several reports from relevant security agencies regarding the monitoring of social media accounts that contained support and endorsement for Iran’s terrorist attacks targeting the Kingdom of Bahrain, as well as the publication of data and photographs of sensitive locations where such activities are prohibited.
Investigations led to identifying the individuals behind these accounts. The Public Prosecution initiated its investigations, interrogated the defendants, heard witness testimonies, and appointed technical experts to examine the seized electronic devices. The examination results confirmed that the defendants had committed the charges against them.
The Public Prosecution emphasized that cyberspace and content published or circulated through it are subject to legal provisions and regulations established to protect societal security and interests. It called on users of electronic platforms to exercise responsibility regarding what they publish or circulate, and to refrain from contributing to the dissemination of prohibited materials, data, or information that could harm the Kingdom’s security and societal stability.
In a related development, the Deputy Head of the Terrorism Crimes Prosecution stated that the Grand Criminal Court also issued two verdicts in separate cases during its session today, convicting three defendants of crimes related to joining a terrorist group and working in its interest to carry out hostile and terrorist acts against the Kingdom of Bahrain and harm its interests.
The court sentenced all the defendants to 15 years in prison, fined two of them 2,000 dinars, and confiscated seized items.
The Public Prosecution affirmed its continued monitoring of crimes linked to terrorist groups and taking necessary deterrent legal measures against anyone proven to have joined such groups, worked in their interest, or participated in executing their plans, thereby preventing the continuation of activities targeting the Kingdom’s security and interests.
