Bahrain Sentences 12 to 10 Years for Supporting Iranian Attacks

The High Criminal Court in Bahrain, during its session on Monday, issued convictions in 11 criminal cases involving crimes of supporting and encouraging Iranian attacks on the kingdom, obtaining and broadcasting prohibited vital data, photographing restricted sites, as well as spreading false news and rumors via social media platforms during the period of aggression.

The court sentenced 12 defendants to 10 years in prison and fined some of them 2,000 Bahraini Dinars, in addition to confiscating all seized items.

The Public Prosecution had received several reports from the Cybercrime Directorate, which included monitoring accounts on social media platforms that published photos, videos, and comments supporting the Iranian attacks targeting the Kingdom of Bahrain. These accounts also broadcast vital data and photographed prohibited sites, in addition to spreading false news and rumors aimed at harming the morale of the Bahraini community, inciting panic, and destabilizing public security.

Investigations led to the identification of the owners of these accounts, prompting the Public Prosecution to open an investigation immediately upon receiving the reports. The defendants were interrogated, witnesses' statements were heard, and technical experts were appointed to examine the seized electronic devices, the results of which confirmed the defendants' involvement in the alleged incidents.

Subsequently, the Public Prosecution referred the defendants to the High Criminal Court, which reviewed the cases over several sessions, ensuring all legal guarantees were observed, including the presence of defense attorneys and enabling them to present their arguments, until the final verdicts were issued against the defendants.