STIFFER PENALTIES IN HOAX BOMB CASES

Manama

The Director of Legal Affairs at the Interior Ministry denied yesterday reports from some media outlets regarding allegations of decriminalization of the planting of hoax bombs.

The Legal Affairs Directorate has recommended that the act of planting a fake bomb can only be considered under the terrorism law, which carries a sentence of up to 15 years, instead of the more lenient penal code law, which carries a jail term and/or fine.

He said planting a hoax bomb is currently a crime in under both the penal code and the terrorism law. The government has now requested to cancel the lenient penalty as prescribed in the penal code law.

He reiterated that the state does not tolerate acts that target the security of the Kingdom, especially those attempted to create fear among the people. The change will require the courts to hand down stiffer penalties for this type of crime. The director called upon media to be more accurate in their reporting to avoid misinformation that creates confusion and, in some cases, needless concern.