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Bahraini authorities have detained a suspect for posting an AI-generated image on social media that falsely showed a residential neighbourhood under Iranian attack.
The Head of the Cybercrime Prosecution announced that the Public Prosecution ordered the suspect’s pretrial detention pending investigation for fabricating visual content. Authorities said this fake content on social media could harm national security and disturb public order.
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The Public Prosecution received a report from the Directorate of Anti-Corruption and Economic and Electronic Security about an individual who posted an AI-generated fabricated image. The image falsely showed a residential neighbourhood subjected to shelling amid recent hostile and terrorist incidents in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The content was widely circulated, causing public panic.
After receiving the report, the Cybercrime Prosecution immediately launched an investigation and questioned the suspect. He admitted to publishing the visual content through a social media account with about 15,000 followers. The post attracted significant traction due to scenes suggesting extensive damage in a residential area in Bahrain. The Public Prosecution ordered the suspect’s pretrial detention pending further investigation and directed that the mobile phone used in the offence be examined.
The Public Prosecution also emphasised that the dissemination of fabricated or artificially generated visual content intended to mislead the public into believing that serious damage has occurred in Bahrain, with the aim of harming the public interest or disrupting public order, constitutes a criminal offence. Such acts are punishable under Article 169 of the Penal Code with a maximum term of two years’ imprisonment and a fine.
The Public Prosecution emphasised its firm commitment to confronting such conduct decisively and without leniency. It will take necessary legal measures against anyone who deliberately exploits social media to publish content that undermines public security or incites fear, to safeguard community security and preserve national stability.
