MANAMA: Bahrainis were yesterday warned against taking part in fighting with opposition groups outside Bahrain or engaging in regional or international conflicts. They were urged not to join radical religious outfits or extremist intellectuals branded terrorist in Bahrain, the region and the world.
The Interior Ministry warned Bahrainis against aiding or abetting these groups, which may endanger security and stability in Bahrain and the region.
In a statement yesterday, it vowed zero tolerance against any violations.
Under the law on protecting society from terrorism, lawbreakers will be sentenced up to five years in jail.
The Interior Ministry said it is following developments in Syria with great concern, adding some citizens had gone to join the fighting there.
The ministry said it will take all legal measures against those who are involved, including inciters and those who are found to have violated article 13 of the law that calls for the protection of the community against terror acts.
The ministry said the penalty is up to five years for any citizen who co-operates with or joins any society, authority, organisation or group based outside Bahrain that endorses terrorism or provides training to commit a terrorist act.
In an effort to prevent such acts, Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa ordered security authorities to intensify searches and investigations to arrest those who have travelled to fight either by incitement, agreement or assistance. A travel ban will be imposed and the suspects will be referred to Public Prosecution.
He ordered social media accounts and websites that promote incitement, recruitment or offer any assistance or facilities for such acts be monitored. All financial transactions, donations and assistance for such purposes will also be monitored and those involved arrested.
The ministry has prepared a draft law to amend provisions of the law on protection of community against terror acts to discourage any citizen from committing mass violence or fighting abroad, in addition to taking part in or receiving training inside or outside Bahrain in weapon-making or operations that facilitate their use.
The Interior Ministry asserted terror acts are not human rights as they affect the supreme interests of the nation and its foreign relations. The ministry also called upon parents to supervise children to protect them from following a path of violence and extremism.