Five Bahrainis Sentenced to Prison and Stripped of Citizenship for 'Links to the IRGC'

The Attorney General of Bahrain announced on Thursday, November 5, that five Bahrainis have been sentenced to prison and stripped of their citizenship for allegedly collaborating with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to carry out sabotage operations in the country. According to Reuters, Ahmad Al-Hamadi stated in an announcement published by the official news agency that two of the defendants were present during the sentencing in Bahrain's criminal court, while three others were tried in absentia. As reported by AFP, the two Bahrainis present in court claimed that their confessions were made 'under torture.' The statement clarified that two of the convicted had received training in 'the construction and use of explosives and incendiary materials for hostile attacks' in IRGC camps, while the other three received financial and logistical support from Iran. He added that these five individuals, who were connected to the IRGC, intended to carry out attacks against banks and government facilities. The Bahraini government, which is controlled by a Sunni minority, has repeatedly accused Iran of seeking to interfere in its internal affairs and create unrest among the Shiite majority in the country. A day before the Attorney General's statements, the Ministry of Interior of this Gulf sheikhdom reported the arrest of 47 members of a group described as 'terrorist and linked to Iran' who were allegedly plotting an attack in the country. In August, Bahrain also reported the arrest of five individuals connected to Iran in relation to the killing of two police officers. Last month, Manama recalled its ambassador from Tehran after announcing that its security forces had discovered a large bomb-making workshop in the country and arrested several suspects linked to the IRGC. On Thursday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry reacted to the news of the arrest of the 47 members of the IRGC-linked group, deeming it 'baseless and rejected.' The Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) quoted an 'informed source' in the Iranian Foreign Ministry as saying, 'The repetitive scenarios of Bahraini officials have faded and will have no effect on the realities that have emerged in the region.' They advised Bahraini officials to 'avoid deflection and accusations against others and pay attention to the problems arising within their own country.' Bahrain, which is home to the U.S. Fifth Fleet, faced significant unrest during the widespread protests of 2011 known as the Arab Spring. The Shiite majority is seeking political reforms in the country. The Bahraini government denies any discrimination against Shiites.