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Twelve defendants in 11 separate cases have each been sentenced to 10 years in prison, with some also ordered to pay fines of BD2,000 for offences linked to endorsing and promoting Iranian attacks targeting Bahrain.
The Public Prosecution announced yesterday that the individuals were convicted of multiple charges, including unlawfully obtaining and sharing sensitive data, filming restricted locations and spreading false news and rumours on social media.
The cases emerged after the Cybercrime Directorate submitted reports on several social media accounts found to contain images, videos and posts expressing support for the attacks.
Authorities said the accused published sensitive information, filmed vital sites and circulated misleading content with the intent of harming public morale, spreading panic and undermining national security.
Investigations led to the identification of the suspects, following which the Public Prosecution launched inquiries, questioned the accused, recorded witness statements and commissioned technical examinations of seized electronic devices.
The findings confirmed the offences attributed to them.
The accused were subsequently referred to the High Criminal Court, where the cases were heard over several sessions in the presence of defence lawyers and in accordance with legal procedures, before the rulings were issued yesterday.
The GDN had earlier reported that nine people were sentenced to life imprisonment in two separate cases on May 24 after being found guilty of collaborating with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to carry out terrorist acts in Bahrain. Two others were also jailed for three years by the High Criminal Court.
According to the authorities, in the first case, a defendant recruited an individual based in Bahrain and tasked him with monitoring and photographing vital facilities, as well as gathering sensitive information. The second defendant rented hotel rooms and flats, carried out surveillance on a key facility, and relayed the information to the first defendant.
Meanwhile, a third defendant, who worked in exchange services, used Iranian and Bahraini bank accounts to channel funds in Iranian toman, converting and distributing them in Bahraini dinars to members of IRGC to support the activities.
The fourth and fifth defendants repeatedly accompanied the second defendant during these assignments, providing cover and helping divert suspicion.
In the second case, a defendant recruited an accomplice within the kingdom and persuaded him to act on behalf of the IRGC in pursuit of terrorist objectives. He tasked the accomplice with monitoring a vital facility and gathering intelligence and also instructed him to identify and recruit local individuals to carry out terrorist plots.
Separately, two defendants were sentenced to life imprisonment and fined BD10,000 for spying for the IRGC, while a woman was also handed life sentence for sharing co-ordinates and images of vital sites to support hostile acts.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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