Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior has announced the arrest of four Bahraini nationals on charges of espionage for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The arrests were made by the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Evidence, which also identified a fifth suspect who is currently outside the country.
The individuals apprehended have been named as Murtada Hussein Awal, 25; Ahmed Isa Al-Haiki, 34; Sarah Abdulnabi Marhoon, 36; and Ilyas Salman Mirza, 22. The fifth suspect, Ali Mohammed Hassan Al-Sheikh, 25, remains at large. The ministry’s investigation revealed that the suspects were involved in capturing images and coordinates of critical sites in Bahrain, which were then transmitted to the IRGC using high-resolution equipment and encrypted applications.
Legal proceedings against the suspects have commenced, and they have been referred to the Public Prosecution for further action. The arrests come amid heightened tensions in the region, with Bahrain’s Interior Ministry earlier reporting an incident involving Iranian aggression that targeted fuel tanks at a facility in Muharraq Governorate.
The situation underscores ongoing concerns regarding espionage and security threats in the Gulf region, particularly related to Iranian influence and activities. Authorities continue to monitor and respond to potential threats to national security.
