Three people – a woman and two men – have been sentenced to life in prison in two separate cases after being convicted of passing information to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The High Criminal Court yesterday also fined the two men BD10,000 each.
One of them was tried in absentia as he is believed to be outside the country.
The court ordered the confiscation of devices used by the suspects to commit the crimes.
In the first case, a Bahraini woman reportedly admitted to sharing visual content of sites damaged in Iranian attacks and calling for further aggression.
“A social media account was publishing photos and co-ordinates of vital sites inside Bahrain,” read the Public Prosecution’s statement about the trials.
“The account was sharing content that had the potential to harm Bahrain’s military, political and economic positions, along with sentences glorifying, encouraging and promoting Iranian aggression on the country.”
In the second case, the two men were convicted of ‘acting as informants for the IRGC’, with the intention of carrying out hostile operations against Bahrain and harming its interests.
According to the Public Prosecution, the men were identified through investigations by the Interior Ministry’s Central Intelligence Directorate into Iranian efforts to monitor vital establishments in the country.
The men had reportedly received instructions to transmit information about these sites to support terrorist acts within Bahrain, with the aim of undermining national security.
“Investigations found that the first defendant, who fled to Iran, had recruited the second defendant to execute terrorist operations in Bahrain,” read the statement.
“He was tasked with transporting, receiving and handing over funds to support people working for the illicit organisation.”
The defendant’s electronic devices were seized and inspected, and investigators found that the results confirmed the accusations against the men, and they were arrested and tried.
“The case was heard over several sessions, and the defendants’ attorneys presented their defence,” the statement continued. “All legal measures were taken to ensure a fair trial.”
The Public Prosecution concluded its statement by reiterating that Bahrain’s national security remains a top priority, adding that any foreign entity attempting to compromise the kingdom’s sovereignty or recruit individuals to act against it will face strict consequences.
It stressed that it would not hesitate to pursue those who support or promote such acts, and would seek severe penalties, including capital punishment when warranted.
Since the start of the US-Iran-Israeli war, Tehran has launched waves of cheap, mass-produced drones, including
Shaheds. In the first week of the Middle East conflict, Iran launched more than 1,000 drones, and it is estimated to have the capacity to produce around 10,000 per month.
The Bahrain Defence Force has intercepted 523 Iranian drones and 194 missiles since the start of the conflict on February 28.
Tehran has targeted critical infrastructure, striking a desalination plant in Bahrain on March 8 and causing material damage. It has further targeted Bahrain’s energy facilities including operational units at Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company, a storage facility belonging to Bapco Energies, Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), Foulath Holding, energy facilities and fuel storage tanks in Muharraq Governorate, and the Bapco Energies refinery in Sitra.
In addition, a five-star hotel, at least five residential towers and the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet were also hit by rogue drones and missiles.
Two people have been killed in the kingdom – Bangladeshi ship worker Abul Mohsin Tareq in a port on March 2 and a young Bahraini Sara Dashti who was enjoying an evening out in the Seef District on March 10.
The BDF announced the death of a Moroccan civilian contractor on March 24 who was serving with the armed forces of the UAE during a routine mission in Bahrain, following an Iranian missile attack.
zainab@gdnmedia.bh
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