Three jailed for life in Bahrain on Iran spying charges

Bahraini authorities said today three people were sentenced to life in prison for spying for Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, the latest in a crackdown on Iran-linked cells.

“Three defendants were charged with colluding with the terrorist Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its operatives to assist in hostile and terrorist acts against the Kingdom of Bahrain and to harm its interests; the court sentenced all of them to life imprisonment,” the prosecution said.

Since the war began, Gulf states, which have borne the brunt of Tehran’s attacks, have cracked down on alleged IRGC-linked cells.

Bahrain is a Sunni Muslim dynasty, but the tiny kingdom has a large Shia population that has long complained of marginalisation.

Since the war began, Manama has cracked down on those expressing support or sympathy for Tehran.

Some have been accused of espionage, and hundreds of mostly Shia Muslims have been arrested, according to Bahraini activists.

Bahrain has denied cracking down on citizens based on their religious identity.