Social media ministry insult: Teacher’s appeal fails in court

TDT | Manama     

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

A former teacher found guilty of insulting a government ministry via an Instagram post has had her appeal dismissed by the court, the Chief Prosecutor of Cybercrimes announced yesterday.

The Third High Criminal Court’s appellate body upheld the original conviction.

The case originated from a report filed with the Anti-Cybercrime Department of the Ministry of Interior.

The report alleged that the woman posted a video on social media containing derogatory remarks about a specific ministry and its members.

This video, according to the report, damaged the ministry’s reputation and public function.

Following the report, the Public Prosecution launched an investigation.

The woman was questioned and admitted to recording and posting the video on her Instagram account.

Consequently, the Public Prosecution referred the case to the third Minor Court.

During the trial, the Public Prosecution presented its case, resulting in the woman’s conviction for insulting a statutory body.

She was fined BD100.

Redress

Discontent with the judgment, the woman sought redress through an appeal.

Nevertheless, the appellate court repudiated her appeal, thereby sustaining the original verdict.

Throughout the proceedings, the prosecutor emphasised that the charges were based on solid evidence.

The video clip constituted a deliberate and clear attack on the reputation and responsibilities of the Ministry of Education.

The prosecutor highlighted the defendant’s reference to the Ministry as a “stronghold of traitors” as unacceptable, given the institution’s role in educating the younger generation.