Eight individuals were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 10 years to life by the High Criminal Court yesterday in four separate cases for crimes related to espionage and supporting terrorist acts in Bahrain.
In the first case, two individuals were sentenced to life in prison for spying for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
According to the Public Prosecution, it received a report on the individuals from the Anti-Cybercrime Directorate, stating that a social media account was found to contain support for and approval of Iranian terrorist attacks targeting the kingdom.
Subsequent investigations led to the identification and arrest of the person operating the account.
He admitted to communicating with a second defendant who fled Bahrain, providing him with co-ordinates and locations within Bahrain.
The Public Prosecution questioned the defendant present in the kingdom, and he admitted to the charges against him.
Authorities also heard witness statements and appointed technical experts to examine a seized electronic device.
The results of the examination confirmed that the defendants had committed the acts attributed to them.
The case was then referred for trial to the High Criminal Court, which heard it over several sessions where all prescribed legal safeguards were observed, including the attendance of the lawyer representing the defendant present in the kingdom.
After weeks of deliberation, the judges issued the verdict yesterday, sentencing both defendants to life in prison.
They also ordered the confiscation of the seized items.
In the second case, three defendants were sentenced to 10 years in prison each and fined BD5,000 for supporting and endorsing Iranian terrorist attacks.
They were convicted of obtaining and disseminating prohibited information and photographing vital locations. Items relating to the crimes were seized.
The Public Prosecution said it received a number of reports from the authorities about certain social media accounts containing statements supporting and endorsing the Iranian terrorist attacks.
These accounts also published information and photographs of locations where photography is prohibited.
Material published through those accounts also included video clips and comments expressing support for and endorsement of those attacks.
The Public Prosecution said it launched investigations immediately upon receiving reports, arresting the individuals operating the accounts, questioning them, interviewing witnesses and assigning forensic experts to examine seized electronic devices.
The examination confirmed that the defendants had committed the offences they were charged with.
The three defendants were then referred to the High Criminal Court. Lawyers representing them attended the hearings and were allowed to present their defence.
The court subsequently issued the aforementioned verdicts at yesterday’s hearing.
In the final two cases, three defendants were sentenced to 15 years each in prison by the same court for joining a terrorist group with the intention of carrying out terrorist acts against Bahrain.
The court fined two of them BD2,000 each and also ordered the confiscation of items associated with the crimes.
The prosecution stated that the two cases came to light following reports on the defendants, with the General Directorate of Crime Detection and Forensic Evidence confirming the accuracy of the information.
The group was engaged in plans targeting the kingdom with the aim of disrupting public order and endangering national security and safety, committing acts intended to harm individuals, spread terror, and prevent state institutions and public authorities from carrying out their duties.
Investigations revealed that they had been assigned various tasks including the transfer, receipt and delivery of funds designated to support and finance terrorist elements affiliated with the group.
During questioning, the defendants admitted to the charges against them.
Investigators concluded that the acts committed by the defendants constituted a fundamental component in the execution of some of the terrorist acts committed, thereby endangering the country’s security and stability.
Both cases were referred to the court, and were heard separately over several sessions.
All legally prescribed safeguards were observed, including the attendance of the defendants’ lawyers and enabling them to present their defence.
After weeks of deliberation, the court issued the aforementioned verdicts.
The authorities emphasised that protecting the kingdom’s security and national interests requires confronting all forms of unlawful co-operation or communication with hostile entities.
They vowed to continue exercising legal powers to pursue those who commit such crimes and refer them to the courts, thereby ensuring the application of the law and holding accountable anyone proven to have committed acts liable to compromise the nation’s security or harm its interests.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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