Life imprisonment for three Bahrainis convicted of spying for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
The case reflects Bahrain’s priority of combating terrorism and espionage within its national security policy, with the authorities considering any cooperation with hostile foreign entities to be a direct threat to the country’s sovereignty and the security of its critical infrastructure.
Bahrain has reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing a strict approach toward crimes affecting national security after the High Criminal Court handed down two life imprisonment sentences against three defendants convicted in two separate cases of espionage on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The authorities described the cases as among the most serious involving attempts to target the Kingdom’s security and vital facilities.
The Head of the Terrorism Crimes Prosecution stated that the court sentenced the three defendants to life imprisonment and ordered the confiscation of the seized evidence after convicting them of collaborating with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and individuals acting on its behalf with the intention of assisting it in carrying out hostile and terrorist acts targeting Bahrain and harming its national interests.
The rulings reflect the Bahraini authorities’ firm stance toward crimes that undermine national security, particularly those involving cooperation with foreign entities that Manama considers hostile, amid ongoing regional tensions and persistent security challenges.
According to the details of the first case, investigations conducted by the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Evidence revealed that a fugitive suspect wanted by the Bahraini authorities and operating on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had recruited another individual inside Bahrain to provide information concerning strategic sites across the Kingdom in preparation for targeting them during an Iranian attack against Bahrain.
The second case involved a defendant who communicated with an online account operated by individuals affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He allegedly supplied them with video footage documenting attacks targeting Bahraini facilities, in addition to sending the locations and coordinates of strategic sites within the country, thereby facilitating potential attacks and endangering the security of the Kingdom as well as the safety of its citizens and residents.
The Public Prosecution stated that it immediately launched investigations upon receiving the two reports. The suspects located within Bahrain were questioned, witnesses were interviewed, and forensic experts were assigned to examine the seized electronic devices and analyze their contents.
According to the prosecution, the investigation concluded that the data and information transmitted by the defendants to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps constituted a key element in attacks targeting several vital facilities and strategic installations across Bahrain, thereby jeopardizing the country’s security and stability.
Following the completion of the investigations, the defendants were referred to the High Criminal Court. The two cases were heard separately over several court sessions, with full legal guarantees being provided, including the presence of defense counsel and the opportunity for them to present their arguments before the final judgments were issued.
The case underscores the priority Bahrain places on combating terrorism and espionage within its national security strategy. The authorities consider any cooperation with hostile foreign entities to represent a direct threat to the sovereignty of the state and the security of its critical infrastructure, particularly amid growing regional security risks and cross-border attacks.
The Public Prosecution stressed that espionage on behalf of a hostile foreign state ranks among the gravest offenses against national security because it enables such entities to obtain information that can be exploited to carry out hostile operations against the Kingdom and its interests.
It further affirmed that, within the powers granted by law, it will continue to prosecute all individuals involved in such offenses and take the strictest legal measures against them in order to safeguard Bahrain’s security and stability and reinforce the country’s deterrence policy against any attempt to undermine state institutions, critical infrastructure, or cooperate with foreign entities targeting the Kingdom’s security.
