Bahraini Man Arrested for Spreading Hate Speech on Social Media

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

The Public Prosecution has announced concluding their investigation into a case involving a Bahraini national accused of spreading hate speech on social media. The accused, who was arrested and questioned, admitted to posting tweets that targeted a specific religious group, inciting sectarian tensions and threatening the fabric of Bahraini society.

The investigation was initiated following a report filed by the Electronic Security Directorate of the General Directorate of Anti-Corruption and Economic, and Electronic Security. The accused's tweets, which were publicly accessible, contained offensive language and derogatory remarks aimed at a specific religious community.

The Public Prosecution, after reviewing the evidence, ordered the accused to be detained for seven days pending further investigation. He has been referred to the Lower Criminal Court for trial, with the first hearing scheduled for July 30th, 2024.

The Public Prosecution emphasised in a statement that social media, while a powerful tool for communication, is subject to legal boundaries and regulations, stressing the importance of responsible online behavior. The Public Prosecution urged users to refrain from posting content that is offensive, discriminatory, or incites hatred or sectarianism.

"Social media is a vast space, but it is bound by the rules of law," the Public Prosecution stated, adding: "We must ensure that it is not misused to spread harmful content that targets individuals or their beliefs, especially those of a religious or ideological nature. We must be mindful of the potential for online content to incite unrest and disrupt the peace and security of our society."