People walk past police patrol vehicles parked at one of the main entrances leading to downtown Manama, Bahrain, in this October 18, 2015 file photo.

Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior affirmed the right of Saudi Arabia to take whatever security measures and procedures it sees right and suitable to maintain the security and stability of the country and people.

An announcement by Bahraini authorities said they will take all necessary legal procedures against whoever ridicules or negatively handles, through a statement or announcement, the court verdicts issued in Saudi Arabia, or criticizes its legal system in this regard in a way that causes sedition and sows discord, and threatens the peace of the country and people.

The Bahraini Interior Ministry said that Article 215 of the Criminal Law stipulates “the imprisonment of two years, or the imposition of a fine of 200 Bahraini dinars on any person publicly offending a country or international organization that has headquarters in the Kingdom of Bahrain, or its president or representative in the Kingdom, and whoever publicly offends its flag or emblem.”

The Interior Ministry strictly stressed it will not in any way accept or approve any form of intervention or comment on the legal system of Saudi Arabia or any brotherly or friendly state, asserting that such issues concern the sovereignty of a country and the ministry will not hesitate in taking whatever measures or procedures necessary against those who interfere in the sovereignty and security of any GCC state, and that violators in this regard will be subjected to legal punishments within the framework of the security and legal agreements between GCC states.

The ministry called for abiding by the law that allows taking the correct information from its formal and official sources and not to use social media to spread sick rumors that touch on the peace and security of citizens.

Article 168 of the Bahraini Criminal Law stipulates a “prison sentence of two years and a fine of 200 dinars, either or both, for whoever intentionally broadcasts false news, statements or rumors to disturb public order or scare the people, or to inflict harm on the best interests of the public.”

The statement of the Bahraini Ministry of Interior confirmed the support of Bahrain for the security measures taken by Saudi Arabia to counter the criminal and terror acts in view of the close historical ties between the leadership of the two countries.

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