The Court of Cassation had issued a ruling rejecting an appeal filed by a defendant convicted and sentenced to imprisonment in a case involving the endorsement and support of the Iranian terrorist attacks against the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Advocate General and Chief Prosecutor of the Court of Appeal stated.
The court upheld the sentence of five years’ imprisonment, a fine of BD2,000, and confiscation of the seized items, for the charges of publication of content on social media endorsing the attacks.
The case was based on a report received by the Public Prosecution from the Anti-Cyber Crime Directorate of the General Directorate of Anti-Corruption and Economic and Electronic Security, documenting that a social media account had been identified containing images, videos and comments endorsing, supporting and justifying the Iranian terrorist attacks targeting the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Investigations identified the person operating the account. The Public Prosecution immediately launched its investigation upon receiving the report, interrogating the defendant, hearing witness statements, and assigning technical experts to examine the seized electronic devices. The examination results confirmed that the defendant had committed the acts attributed to him.
Based on the findings of the investigation, the Public Prosecution ordered the defendant’s referral to the High Criminal Court, which heard the case over several sessions during which all legal safeguards afforded to the defendant, foremost among them the right to defence, were observed. The court subsequently issued its ruling sentencing him to five years’ imprisonment, fining him BD2,000, and ordering the confiscation of the seized items.
The defendant appealed the ruling. The Court of Appeal rejected the appeal and upheld the ruling. The defendant then challenged the ruling before the Court of Cassation, which rejected the appeal in form.
The Advocate General affirmed that the Public Prosecution emphasises that freedom of opinion and expression is a right guaranteed within the limits of the law, and that exercising this right through social media requires compliance with the applicable legal rules and provisions, preventing the use of such platforms in a manner that threatens the security or stability of society.
The Public Prosecution also emphasises that publishing, republishing or circulating any content that endorses, supports, incites or justifies terrorist acts, or that serves to promote them, constitutes an offence punishable by law, given the resulting threat to national security and civil peace.
It affirmed that the Public Prosecution will continue to exercise its jurisdiction and apply the law firmly against anyone proven to have violated it, calling on citizens and residents to exercise responsibility and awareness when using social media and to refrain from circulating or publishing content that violates the law, thereby contributing to safeguarding the security and stability of the country and protecting society.
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