Manama: The Head of the Cybercrime Prosecution announced that the Public Prosecution has ordered the pretrial detention of a suspect pending investigation for fabricating visual content using artificial intelligence applications and spreading it on social media platforms in a manner that could harm national security and disturb public order.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the Public Prosecution had received a report from the Directorate of Anti-Corruption and Economic and Electronic Security concerning an individual who published an AI-generated fabricated image on social media. The image falsely depicted a residential neighborhood as having been subjected to shelling amid the recent hostile and terrorist incidents witnessed in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The content was widely circulated, causing panic among members of the public.
Upon receiving the report, the Cybercrime Prosecution immediately initiated an investigation and questioned the suspect, who admitted to publishing the visual content through one of his social media accounts, which has approximately 15,000 followers. The post drew significant attention from followers due to scenes suggesting extensive damage in a residential area in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Public Prosecution ordered the suspect's pretrial detention pending further investigation and directed that the mobile phone used in the commission of the offense be examined.
The Public Prosecution also emphasised that the dissemination of fabricated or artificially generated visual content intended to mislead the public into believing that serious damage has occurred in the Kingdom of Bahrain, with the aim of harming the public interest or disrupting public order, constitutes a criminal offense. Such acts are punishable under Article 169 of the Penal Code by up to two years' imprisonment and a fine.
The Public Prosecution emphasised its firm commitment to confronting such conduct decisively and without leniency, and to taking the necessary legal measures against anyone who deliberately exploits social media platforms to publish content that undermines public security or incites fear within society to safeguard community security and preserve national stability.