Bahrain jails nine defendants for life for ‘cooperating’ with Iran’s IRGC

Convictions handed down amid an intensified crackdown by Bahraini authorities on individuals accused of having ties to Tehran.Bahrain has sentenced nine people to life in prison for carrying out what authorities describe as “hostile and terrorist acts” in cooperation with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).Two other defendants were also jailed for three years each after being convicted of collaborating with the IRGC in what prosecutors described as “terrorist and espionage” activities, state media reported on Sunday.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3UAE accuses Iran of attacks as ‘large fire’ breaks out at oil refinerylist 2 of 3Bahrain strips 69 people of citizenship over Iran supportlist 3 of 3Bahrain rounds up dozens over alleged links to Iran’s IRGCend of listThe convictions were handed down during an intensified crackdown by Bahraini authorities on individuals accused of ties to Tehran. The crackdown followed a wave of Iranian strikes on Bahrain after the United States and Israel launched their war on Iran in late February. Iran began striking all of its Gulf neighbours in response, saying it was targeting American interests, including military bases.Prosecutors said some of the defendants photographed vital and strategic sites in Bahrain on behalf of the IRGC. Others were accused of facilitating the transfer of funds from Iran to Bahrain, including through cryptocurrency transactions, to finance the operations. Authorities also alleged that individuals inside the country were recruited to support some of the plans.Bahrain began arresting individuals allegedly linked to Iran in March, shortly after the conflict began.Earlier this month, authorities detained a further 41 people.Less than two weeks later, more than 60 people were stripped of their citizenship for allegedly supporting Iranian attacks on Bahrain and “colluding with foreign entities”.