Doctor jailed for defamation

Manama : The jail sentence of a doctor accused of defaming a sister country and publicly inciting against abiding the laws and regulations in the Kingdom has been upheld.

The High Criminal Appeals Court upheld the one-year imprisonment of Dr. Saeed Al Samahiji, who allegedly posted tweets on his Twitter account calling his followers to participate in riots against executing infamous religious figure Nimr Al Nimr by Saudi Arabia.

His crime was reported to the Public Prosecution by the Anti-Cyber Crime Directorate. Meanwhile, his call was accepted by some of his followers, who rioted and attacked police officers with firebombs in Muharraq and the Northern Governorate as well as other areas in the country.

The ophthalmologist admitted to his crime when he was arrested.