Manama: The Chief Prosecutor of the Cybercrime Prosecution stated that the Lower Criminal Court has convicted a defendant and sentenced him to one year in prison with immediate effect, and ordered the confiscation of his phone for publishing posts containing public contempt for Islamic symbols, which could incite discord and undermine social cohesion and peace.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the Chief Prosecutor explained that the details of the case date back to the Public Prosecution receiving a report from the Cybercrime Directorate at the General Directorate of Anti-Corruption and Economic and Electronic Security, stating that the defendant had published posts on a social media platform containing statements involving insults and abuse directed at figures regarded as revered Islamic symbols. The posts were widely circulated.
Upon receiving the report, the Cybercrime Prosecution immediately launched its investigation and ordered the arrest and production of the defendant. He was questioned and confronted with the monitored posts and the findings of the investigation, and admitted to publishing the posts.
In light of the evidence uncovered by the Public Prosecution, it ordered the defendant to be remanded in custody and referred him to criminal trial, which issued the aforementioned verdict.
The Chief Prosecutor affirmed that the Public Prosecution remains committed to firmly confronting any unlawful use of social media for criminal purposes, or to insult sacred figures and religious symbols in a manner that could undermine the cohesion of the national fabric.