Court uphold jail term for sedition accused

Manama: The High Criminal Appeals Court upheld the jail term of a man accused of inciting hatred against the regime.

The 37-year-old man allegedly addressed a crowd of people in the area of Nuwaidrat, where he encouraged them to carry out anti-government demonstrations and protests.

The defendant admitted to being invited solely to address religious issues, and yet broaching political subjects as the attendees were very ‘motivated.’

“I made a mistake,” he told prosecutors during questioning, adding “I drifted away from what I was supposed to say.”

The accused also allegedly defamed Muawiya Ibn Abu Sufyan, who established the Umayyad Dynasty, and is glorified by the Sunni population.

The defendant was handed down two years in prison.