Abuse of power & retaliationCourts & justice
Bahrain arrests hundreds over war-related posts and protests in 2026; prosecutors seek death penalty in espionage cases and courts hand down long sentences
Confidence: Corroborated · 3 sourcesBahrain · Oct 6, 2026
Subject of this story
Bahrain Public Prosecution
Also named
Advocate
Human Rights Watch
Amnesty International
What happened
After US and Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February 2026, Bahraini authorities arrested dozens for peaceful protests or social-media posts about the strikes, per Human Rights Watch, which said the Public Prosecution requested death sentences for some espionage defendants on 9 March. Amnesty International reports 34 people sentenced on 28 April and 12 May to fines and 1-10 years and 69 people stripped of nationality on 27 April. On 12 May a court gave life terms to five defendants for alleged espionage with Iran's Revolutionary Guard. Authorities say the measures target hostile acts and incitement.
By the numbers (1)
● confirmed by a primary document · ○ reported
Figures
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On March 9, Bahrain's Public Prosecution stated it requested the court to issue death sentences for some defendants over alleged espionage.
1 source
- hrw.org
On March 9, Bahrain's Public Prosecution stated it requested the court to issue death sentences for some of the defendants due to their involvement in espionage
Sources (3)
amnesty.orgBahrain: 34 people sentenced 28 April and 12 May to fines and 1-10 years; 69 stripped of nationality (27 April)
hrw.orgOn March 9, Bahrain's Public Prosecution stated it requested the court to issue death sentences for some of the defendants due to their involvement in espionage
mc-doualiya.comالسجن المؤبد بحق خمسة متهمين بتهمة التخابر مع الحرس الثوري الإيراني
Response
Bahrain Public Prosecution
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