Bahrain Supreme Criminal Court held its first hearing On Sunday, 19 defendants were charged in a national security case with founding and operating a terrorist organization allegedly linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The case involves 19 people, 11 of whom are currently in custody and 8 remain at large. Prosecutors allege the group sought to destabilize Bahrain’s constitutional order by attempting to suspend the constitution and laws, obstruct government institutions, undermine national unity and ultimately overthrow the constitutional system. The defendants are accused of using illegal means to establish and direct an organization aimed at achieving these goals.
Prosecutors continue to claim that the group attempted to influence religious gatherings, including ma’atams and places of worship, and use them to promote its ideology and foment opposition to the Bahraini government. The alleged activities included efforts to spread political messages consistent with Wilayat al-Faqih, a theory of government associated with Iran’s post-revolution political system. Prosecutors also believe that some of the communications between the defendants and people associated with the IRGC were coordinated efforts to change Bahrain’s political system.
The defendants reportedly denied all allegations.
The 19 defendants were among 41 people arrested in May in connection with the same investigation. Some people have already done it received life sentences in relation to supposedly Espionage and sabotage related to the IRGC.
The next court hearing in the current case is scheduled for July 12.
Bahrain–Iran relations have long been characterized by geopolitical tensions and mutual accusations of interference. The disputes have persisted since Bahrain’s independence in 1971, with significant escalations after the 1979 Iranian Revolution and again after 2011, when Bahrain accused Iran of involvement in domestic unrest, which Iran has always denied. Today, Bahrain remains closely connected to the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other regional partners, while remaining strengthened Safety concerns regarding Iranian regional influence.
