Manama: The Head of the Terrorist Crimes Prosecution announced that the Public Prosecution has initiated investigations into a primary organization associated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Wilayat al-Faqih ideology. This organization was reportedly established by members of the dissolved Islamic Scholars Council.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the organization was found to be promoting the Wilayat al-Faqih ideology and extremist views, which prioritize allegiance to the Supreme Leader of Iran over loyalty to Bahrain's constitutional order. The group's activities allegedly aimed to facilitate Iranian interference in Bahrain's internal affairs. Investigations uncovered efforts by the organization to seize control of mosques, matams, and religious seminaries to advance its ideology. These platforms were used to deliver speeches inciting against national interests and recruit individuals to join the organization, participate in its activities, and study the Wilayat al-Faqih doctrine in Iran.
Further findings revealed that the organization engaged in systematic intimidation against religious figures opposing the Wilayat al-Faqih ideology, employing tactics such as issuing fatwas, marginalization, intellectual intimidation, and threats of violence. The organization also gathered funds to support its activities, finance the promotion of its ideology, and bolster allegiance to the Supreme Leader in Iran. This financial backing extended to fueling unrest and committing acts of terrorism, rioting, and sabotage.
The Head of the Terrorist Crimes Prosecution confirmed that the Public Prosecution interrogated 41 suspects connected to the case, ensuring that lawyers represented some during the proceedings and that all legal guarantees were upheld. The suspects were detained pending further investigation. Additionally, orders were issued to lift the confidentiality of the suspects' bank accounts and freeze their accounts and assets. The investigation led to the seizure of numerous publications promoting the Wilayat al-Faqih ideology, along with substantial sums of money.
The probe revealed that funds had been collected to finance the organization, with portions of the money transferred to Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon to support and finance terrorist organizations. Some suspects were found to have personally benefited from the collected funds, using them to purchase gold jewelry, real estate, vehicles, and cover their children's educational expenses. Investigations remain ongoing, with the Public Prosecution set to release a statement upon the completion of the proceedings.