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⚖️ The Offense: “Sympathy” and Communication with Foreign Parties
The decision, issued under royal directives, targets those accused of violating the “duty of loyalty” to the kingdom.
- The Charges: Individuals were stripped of their citizenship for “glorifying or sympathising with the hostile Iranian acts” or “engaging in contacts with external parties”.
- Legal Basis: The move relies on Article 10/3 of the Bahraini Nationality Law, which allows revocation for “causing harm to the interests of the Kingdom” or acting against the duty of loyalty.
- Status of Those Affected: Authorities stated all 69 individuals are “of non-Bahraini origin”. Rights groups have expressed alarm, noting it is unclear if those affected have been arrested or hold other nationalities.
🌍 Context: Regional Security Crackdown
The revocations come as Gulf states remain on high alert following the outbreak of the war between the U.S.-Israeli alliance and Iran on February 28.
- Iranian Retaliation: Following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, Tehran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting US assets in Gulf states, including a naval base in Bahrain.
- Wider Crackdown: This marks the first mass revocation of citizenship in Bahrain since 2019, part of a broader effort to counter alleged Iranian influence and espionage networks in the region.
🛡️ International Reactions
The move has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations and the Iranian government.
- Iran’s Condemnation: Tehran condemned the action as “a gross violation of human rights” and accused Bahrain of deflecting attention from its “direct responsibility” for supporting the U.S.-Israeli campaign.
- Rights Groups: The Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) described the decision as “the beginning of a dangerous era of repression” imposed “without legal safeguards or any right of appeal”.