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Bahrain has revoked the citizenship of 69 people for allegedly supporting Iranian attacks on the country. The directive was issued by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, stating that all individuals affected were “of non-Bahraini origin.”
Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior announced the revocation of citizenship for 69 individuals accused of supporting Iranian attacks, as stated in a directive issued by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The London-based Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy described this action as “dangerous” and a clear violation of international law.
Negotiations to permanently end the war following the ceasefire brokered by Pakistan are ongoing. Meanwhile, the Bahraini government continues to face accusations of marginalising its Shia population, which has historically led to unrest and protests against its leadership.
Bahrain strips 69 people of citizenship over Iran support
Rights groups have described the move as a “blatant abuse of power”.
Bahrain has stripped dozens of people of their citizenship for allegedly supporting Iranian attacks on the country.
Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior announced on Monday that it had revoked the citizenship of 69 people, some of whom were related, after accusing them of sympathising with Iran and “colluding with foreign entities”. The move comes after Tehran carried out strikes on facilities in Bahrain as part of the war launched against Iran by Israel and the United States.
The directive, issued by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, stated that all 69 people were “of non-Bahraini origin”. Under Bahraini law, a person can be stripped of citizenship if they are deemed to have caused harm to the country or shown disloyalty.
The London-based Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy described the move as “dangerous” and a clear violation of international law.
The organisation said the individuals had not been publicly identified, and it remained unclear whether they had been arrested, whether they were inside or outside Bahrain, and whether they held another nationality.
Iranian strikes
Tehran began striking its Gulf neighbours on February 28, shortly after Israel and the United States began the war by launching attacks on Iran.
Tehran accused the targeted countries of allowing the US to conduct its strikes from their territory. Iran’s retaliatory attacks reportedly caused significant damage to US military sites across the region, including a Navy base in Bahrain, which was hit by missiles and drones.
Iran ceased its attacks on Gulf neighbours on April 9, following the introduction of a ceasefire brokered by Pakistan. Negotiations to permanently end the war are ongoing three weeks later.
Bahrain’s Shia population has long accused authorities of marginalising them. During the Arab Spring in 2011, mass protests against the country’s leadership broke out. The Bahraini government has long blamed Iran for fomenting unrest against it.