A man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined BD2,000 by the High Criminal Court after being convicted of endorsing Iranian attacks on Bahrain.
In its verdict issued yesterday, the court also ordered the confiscation of the mobile device used in the offence.
The Public Prosecution launched an investigation after receiving a report from the Anti-Cybercrimes Directorate about photographs, videos and comments posted on a social media account. The posts contained material condoning the Iranian attacks.
The individual behind the account was subsequently identified and questioned.
The prosecution also interviewed witnesses and appointed technical experts to examine the seized electronic devices.
The case was referred to court, with all the legal safeguards to which the defendant was entitled being observed during the hearings, according to the statement.
The Public Prosecution reiterated that ‘freedom of opinion or speech is a guaranteed right, if it is exercised within the limits of the law’.
“Exercising this right on social media platforms requires adherence to regulations in order to prevent the use of these platforms in ways that threaten societal security or stability,” it added.
“Publishing, reposting, or circulating any content that supports, condones, incites, justifies or promotes terrorist acts constitutes a crime punishable by law.”
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