Likely candidate to parliament arrested for ‘tweeting trouble’

A potential candidate for the parliamentary elections was arrested yesterday after an MP lodged a complaint against him over sectarian tweets.

Mohammed Al Aradi, 54, a religious scholar who recently announced his intention to compete in the upcoming parliamentary elections was summoned on Friday by the General Directorate of Anti-Corruption and Economic and Electronic Security. This came few days after MP Jamal Buhassan complained against Mr Al Aradi for posting tweets that were considered sectarian and insulting.

Northern Governorate Chief Prosecutor Mohammed Salah confirmed this in a statement released yesterday, saying, and “The Public Prosecution was notified by the General Directorate of Anti-Corruption and Economic and Electronic Security, with regards to an individual who posted abusive tweets on his social media account. The Prosecution initiated its investigations into the incident and interrogated the accused.

Mr Salah added, “The accused was ordered to be remanded for seven days pending further investigation after being accused of insulting a symbol or a person glorified or considered sacred by the members of a particular sect. Legal procedures are continued to refer the case to the concerned court.”  

Anti – Corruption and Economic and Electronic Security Director-General Lieutenant Colonel Bassam Al Miraj announced on Friday that Mr Al Aradi was summoned for posting tweets insulting a particular sect in Bahrain.