Bahrain has stripped 69 individuals of their citizenship over what authorities described as “glorifying Iranian hostile acts”, following attacks launched by Iran during the recent war in the Gulf.
In a statement, the Bahraini Ministry of Interior said the decision targeted those who expressed support for Iranian attacks or were involved in espionage with foreign entities. It added that the total number affected, including family members, had reached 69.
Authorities said the move was taken under royal directives and in accordance with the country’s nationality law, which allows citizenship to be revoked in cases deemed harmful to the interests of the state or contrary to the duty of loyalty.
The statement included the names of those affected, noting they are of non-Bahraini origin.
READ: Bahrain arrests 5 for passing ‘sensitive information’ to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards
Iranian attacks during the conflict targeted sites across Bahrain, including military-linked locations, the airport, oil facilities and residential areas. Tehran launched hundreds of missiles and drones towards Gulf states during the war, which began in late February and was halted by a ceasefire in early April.
The Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy described the measure as the first mass revocation of citizenship since 2019, raising concerns over transparency and due process.
Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, the institute’s advocacy director, said the move marks “the beginning of a dangerous era of repression”, warning that stripping individuals of nationality and rendering them stateless violates international law.
The organisation also said it remains unclear whether those affected have been detained, whether they are inside or outside the country, or whether they hold other nationalities.
Similar measures have been reported elsewhere in the Gulf, with authorities in Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates detaining individuals on accusations related to supporting Iranian attacks.
READ: Germany calls on UN to take responsibility for settling Iran conflict
🚨BREAKING: Watch The Video Clip Here ➤
