The Public Prosecution arrested the duo following a report by Bahrain’s Cybercrime Department on social media posts that insulted religious symbols.
First Published Sep 2, 2022, 10:49 PM IST
Manama: Two people have been sentenced in Bahrain for posting videos insulting religious symbols through social media platforms including TikTok. A 24-year-old accused was sentenced to two months in jail by a lower criminal court, while another 17-year-old accused was sentenced to one month in jail by a special court for children. The judgment of the children’s court also considered the report given by the social worker regarding the 17-year-old boy. It has been informed that the court will pass the sentence next Wednesday after examining the documents, testimony and investigation reports in detail.
The Public Prosecution arrested the duo following a report by Bahrain’s Cybercrime Department on social media posts that insulted religious symbols. The Bahraini Public Prosecution had earlier informed that the two suspects were identified very quickly and then they were taken into custody. Both confessed to the crime during interrogation. Officials informed that both have confessed to misusing telecom equipment and insulting religious symbols.
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Considering the report given by the social worker about the juvenile accused, he was handed over to the Special Court for Children. The head of the Family and Child Prosecution said that while Bahrain guarantees freedom of expression, that right must be used properly. Do not express opinions in a manner that denigrates the sanctity of religion, provokes people and causes division in the society. But in this case it happened against the policies. The actions of the accused were such as to cause problems in the society. Therefore, they are criminal offences. He said that the accused are liable to receive the punishment prescribed by law.
Meanwhile, his lawyer told the court that the accused did not deliberately try to insult religious symbols. The defendant had also requested the court to grant him maximum leniency as he was the sole breadwinner of his family.
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Last Updated Sep 2, 2022, 10:49 PM IST
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