Bahrain warns citizens not to ridicule Saudi legal system

By Staff Writer | Jan 05, 2016 09:00 PM EST

Bahrain authorities warned its citizens not to criticize, mock, and have negative reactions on Saudi Arabia's legal systems, including its court verdicts, and announcements.

According to Arab News, Bahrain's Ministry of Interior announced that Saudi Arabia has the right to carry out whatever security measures necessary to maintain security and stability in the country. In the Article 215 of the Criminal Law, it is written that "the imprisonment of two years, or the imposition of a fine of 200 Bahraini dinars on any person publicly offending a country or international organization that has headquarters in the Kingdom of Bahrain, or its president or representative in the Kingdom, and whoever publicly offends its flag or emblem."

Another law in the Bahraini Criminal Law Article 168 states that a "prison sentence of two years and a fine of 200 dinars, either or both, for whoever intentionally broadcasts false news, statements or rumors to disturb public order or scare the people, or to inflict harm on the best interests of the public."

As previously reported, a Middle East website called out to its citizens ordering them to observe and acknowledge accurate news. The government advises its people not to use social media sites to collect and disseminate information and news. There will be legal actions against those who are caught violating these laws.

These proclamations came after Prince Mohammed Bin Salman received international criticisms through Twitter. The prince was ridiculed after he announced that Saudi will lead a military coalition against "the Islamic world" and terrorism, according to a blog by Al Bab.

When asked if the coalition will exclusively go against ISIS, the prince replied, "No. To any terrorist organisation that appears in front of us, we will take action to fight it." There are those who believe that the anti-terror coalition may only pursue sectarian agenda.

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