Defamation: Lawmaker calls for quizzing of 23 fellow MPs

Manama : A female Bahraini parliamentarian has called for interrogation of 23 MPs over claims of defamation through a local daily as well as social media networks.

The statements of MP Roua Al Hayki were heard by the Public Prosecution yesterday, in her case against a local Arabic journal.

She accused the daily of defamation and manipulating national security, after it reported last month that “Al Hayki had accused policemen of causing the death of a Bahraini woman, who was killed in a terrorist explosion in East Eker on June 20.”

The lawmaker, who is also heading the Woman and Child Affairs Parliamentary Committee, denied the report and reaffirmed her full support to the procedures taken by the government and the Interior Ministry to preserve peace and security as well as combat terrorism.

As reported by DT News earlier, the issue unfolded after a private conversation on WhatsApp was leaked online. A screenshot of the conversation was widely circulated, showing part of a text allegedly sent by Al Hayki from her personal number. 

As indicated by the conversation, the parliamentarian dismissed that the East Eker terrorist blast victim was killed due to an explosion, stating that she was shot and also hinting that Public Security personnel have killed her.

However, Al Hayki denied the allegations, explaining that she only quoted what was being circulated by some people on social media networks. 

The MP clarified that she shared the text in a WhatsApp group that only included fellow lawmakers. She remarked that leaking the conversation was “a strange behaviour from the representatives of the people of Bahrain.”

The MP also told the prosecution that demands were made to revoke her citizenship by accusing her of treason, after the report was published. The prosecution is continuing its investigations in the matter, according to the sources.