Seven defendants in four court cases denied accusations of ‘expressing sympathy with the Iranian aggression against Bahrain’ through social media posts, at the High Criminal Court yesterday.
Holding session outside of its usual Sunday-to-Tuesday schedule, the court heard that the men allegedly published content that ‘promoted and glorified’ Iranian attacks that the nation has been facing.
One of the defendants, the author of a video in which he can be allegedly heard making a jest about the strike on the US Navy Base, pleaded not guilty to charges of misusing social media.
At the expedited trial, a Public Prosecution representative asked judges to impose the maximum penalty on all defendants, giving short speeches at every case to emphasise his argument.
A young suspect was additionally accused of illegally filming a military site. The teen admitted to it at the hearing, stating that he ‘didn’t mean to harm anyone’ and did it ‘spontaneously’.
“Possessing media that contains promotion, justification and encouragement of said terrorist acts, as well as taking photos of locations despite the prohibition order that was issued,” read a Public Prosecution statement. “These actions are punishable by law, and only act to terrify citizens and residents, incite panic, shake public security, create chaos and sow civil discord.
“These actions constitute a betrayal of a nation that embraced them, whose citizenship they hold, and from whose blessings they benefit. The Public Prosecution asks that no mercy or leniency be granted in their judgements.”
The man behind the recording that went viral on social media – highlighting an air strike on the Juffair base with commentary delivered favouring the attack – was shown to judges. It was described by the prosecution as a ‘shocking scene’.
In another case, a Bahraini man was accused of remixing the video with added music and posting it again on social media.
In a third case, a man was accused of uploading a video stating that it was ‘only the beginning’ regarding the aggression.
“In light of attacks Bahrain is facing from the Iranian Republic and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), several accounts on social media sites have been detected that published videos of attacks,” read another prosecution statement. “Some of these attacks targeted military installations that are illegal to film, and harming some public and private property.
“These clips showed the defendants expressing glee at these aggressive and terrorist actions, cheering them on and calling for them to continue.”
The content allegedly ‘supports the enemy’ and harms security and public order. After the suspects were identified by investigators, they were apprehended.
Three cases – the one involving four defendants, alongside two individual cases – were adjourned to Sunday for defence arguments. A fourth case was adjourned to March 17, when a verdict will be issued.
According to the Cybercrimes Directorate, 55 legal cases have been filed regarding the misuse of telecommunications and electronic devices, related to spreading misinformation or unauthorised filming.
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