Fadhel Abbas gets 5 years imprisonment

DT News Network

Manama

 The General Secretary of a political society, who allegedly criticised Bahrain's participation in military action in Yemen, was sentenced to five years behind bars.

National Democratic Assembly (Al Wahdawi) secretary general Fadhel Abbas was convicted before the High Criminal Court for spreading false news and promoting a propaganda that could damage the war effort, questioning Bahrain's political stance on war and defaming other countries taking part in Saudi-led air strikes against Huthis.

The coalition countries launched air strikes against Huthi rebels in Yemen in March after Shi'ite militias sought to topple the Yemeni government led by President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

 Abbas allegedly described the joint operation in Yemen as an 'invasion' and an 'act of aggression' on social media networks on March 26. He was arrested the following day, but he pleaded not guilty in the High Criminal Court. 

 His lawyer Abdullah Al Shamlawi argued he did not breach the law, claiming Bahrain's constitution backed him up.

 However, judges at the High Criminal Court refuted the argument, underlining in the verdict the law has set limits for all the social practices, including the freedom of speech.  The ruling indicated this right is subject to regulations like any other rights to subdue it.

 "In law there are no absolute rights, as they are bound to regulations to ensure the country's safety, public peace,  and to prevent crimes," a court ruling read.

 The court noted, “In any case, the principle of freedom of opinion and expression cannot be used as a cover to justify crimes as the law doesn't give individuals absolute rights. For each right there is boundary which all have to abide.

 It's worth noting Abbas's deputy in the society Mohammed Al Motawa is also standing trial in connection with spreading false news about the same military operation.

 He has been charged with intentionally spreading false and malicious data that would harm armed military operations, and for publicly insulting foreign countries.