Bahrain prosecutors seek death penalty for defendants accused of espionage and high betrayal

Public Prosecution Bahrain has formally requested the death penalty for several defendants accused of espionage and high treason during a procedural hearing held on March 9, 2026.

According to prosecutors, the defendants allegedly collaborated with a terrorist organization to carry out hostile activities targeting Bahrain. The charges include gathering and photographing restricted and sensitive locations with the aim of leaking information related to the kingdom’s national defense.

Authorities said the alleged actions were carried out during a period of heightened regional tensions and security threats facing Bahrain.

Prosecutors also linked the case to a recent missile-related incident in Sitra that resulted in injuries to dozens of civilians. Officials previously confirmed that 32 people were injured in the attack, which authorities attributed to regional hostilities involving Iran.

During the hearing, the prosecution argued that the alleged actions represented a serious breach of national security and called for the maximum penalties under Bahraini law.

“Loyalty to the homeland is not an option that accepts negotiation,” prosecutors said in their statement, urging the court to impose the harshest punishment “without the slightest mercy."

In addition to espionage charges, some reports indicate that authorities arrested individuals accused of spreading misinformation by posting AI-generated images depicting drone impacts in an attempt to incite unrest and spread panic among the public.

The case is currently in its procedural phase, and the court has not yet issued a final ruling. Legal proceedings are expected to continue as the court reviews evidence and hears arguments from both the prosecution and defense.

Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have previously called for transparency and due process in cases involving national security charges and capital punishment.

The case comes at a time of heightened security concerns in Bahrain as authorities respond to regional tensions and incidents affecting civilian areas and strategic infrastructure.