The Head of the Terror Crimes Prosecution stated that the High Criminal Court issued rulings during today’s session in nine cases involving individuals accused of supporting and endorsing the Iranian terrorist attacks against the Kingdom of Bahrain, obtaining and publishing prohibited vital data, and capturing images and footage of restricted sites, during the Iranian terrorist attacks that targeted the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The court sentenced ten defendants to prison terms of up to 10 years, imposed fines of BD2,000 on some of them, ordered the confiscation of the seized items, and ruled that three defendants be permanently deported from the country following the completion of their sentences.
The Public Prosecution had received several reports from the Cyber Crime Directorate stating that social media accounts had been identified supporting and endorsing the Iranian terrorist attacks targeting the Kingdom of Bahrain, publishing vital data, and capturing images and footage of restricted sites.
The material published through those accounts included images, videos, and comments containing endorsement of hostile acts, as well as capturing images and footage of restricted sites that may not be obtained, published, or circulated.
Investigations identified the individuals operating those accounts, after which the Public Prosecution launched its investigation, questioned the defendants, heard witness statements, and assigned technical experts to examine the seized electronic devices. The examination results confirmed that the defendants had committed the offences attributed to them.
Accordingly, the Public Prosecution referred the defendants to the High Criminal Court. The cases were heard over several sessions during which all legal guarantees were observed, including the attendance of defence lawyers and allowing them to present their arguments, until the court issued the aforementioned rulings today.
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 comply with legal regulations without harming the security and stability of the country. It stressed that publishing or circulating material containing support for or justification of terrorist acts, disclosing prohibited data, or capturing images and footage of restricted sites constitutes a threat to national security and civil peace.
The Public Prosecution affirmed that it will continue to take firm legal measures against anyone who violates its provisions, calling on citizens and residents to act responsibly when using social media to preserve the security of the Kingdom.
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