MANAMA: A court in Bahrain sentenced three individuals to life imprisonment on Tuesday on charges of collaborating with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), intensifying a crackdown on pro-Iran networks amid heightened regional tensions following the Middle East conflict. Over 20 other defendants received prison terms of up to 10 years, as the Sunni-led kingdom moves to suppress what it describes as Iranian-linked threats.
Life Sentences and Fines
The public prosecution stated that a woman was sentenced to life for collaborating with the IRGC, which Bahrain designates as a terrorist organization, with the intention of carrying out hostile acts. Two other individuals, including one who fled to Iran, also received life sentences and were fined 10,000 Bahraini dinars (approximately $26,487) on similar charges.
Additional Convictions
In a separate case, ten defendants were sentenced to up to 10 years in prison, with three ordered to be deported after serving their sentences. They were convicted of supporting Iran, filming in prohibited locations, and disseminating banned statements. Another 11 individuals received sentences of up to five years and fines for involvement in violence and sabotage during Iranian attacks on Bahrain in March 2024.
Regional Context
The verdicts come as Gulf states remain on high alert. Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates have also intensified actions against Iran-linked networks. Bahraini activists report that over 300 people, mostly Shia Muslims, have been arrested since the war began, with some accused of espionage or ties to the IRGC. Bahrain denies targeting citizens based on religious identity.
Recent Security Measures
On May 9, Bahrain's interior ministry announced the dismantling of an organization linked to Iran's Guards and the arrest of 41 suspected members. Two days earlier, parliament expelled three MPs who opposed a royal decree abolishing the right to appeal government decisions on nationality, after 69 individuals were stripped of citizenship for supporting Iran during the war.
