‘Sectarian sermon’ lands three men behind bars

TDT | Manama

Three men have been remanded recently for organizing a meeting that consisted of several violations of the law, such as insulting a sect and violating the preventive measures to combat the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

This has been confirmed by Chief Prosecutor Adnan Fakhro, who said in a press statement issued by the Public Prosecution this week that the three suspects were charged with “publicly insulting people who are glorified among the people of a community, and incitement to hate a group of people” and “violating precautionary and preventive measures to contain and prevent the spread of COVID-19”.

Fakhro said the Public Prosecution was tipped off by the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science about a sermon posted on social media sites delivered by one of the suspects and consisted of several violations.

The official further explained that the sermon included sectarian remarks and an explicit permission to insult the companions of Prophet Muhammad, as well as the defaming of a sect in a way that would stir up discord.

The statement mentioned: “The Public Prosecution began its investigation as soon as it received the notification, as it examined the recording of the sermon and interrogated the suspect who delivered it, as well as the second accused, and confronted them with the contents of the sermon, which constituted crimes punishable by law.”

Fakhro also said that the prosecution interrogated the third suspect, who participated in the activities of the meeting. The Chief Prosecutor clarified that investigations are continued in the case in order to refer it to the concerned criminal court.

He added: “The investigations conducted by the prosecution indicated that the meeting was held by agreement between the three suspects defendants, as the second man published a public invitation to attend the meeting without notifying the competent authorities as required by law, and in violation of the health measures taken to confront the COVID-19 pandemic, prohibiting gatherings, and urging social distancing and to avoid the atmosphere that helps on the spread of the pandemic