Bahrain: Wefaq Leaders Colluded with Qatar to Carry Out Hostile Acts

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Bahrain: Wefaq Leaders Colluded with Qatar to Carry Out Hostile Acts

Public Prosecution Logo
Public Prosecution Logo

Bahrain announced on Wednesday that Wefaq Association, which has been dissolved, agreed and coordinated with Qatari officials to carry out hostile acts in Bahrain to damage its military, political, economic and national interests, as well as to undermine its status..

The Public Prosecution has carried out investigations confirming that Wefaq's Sec-Gen Ali Salman, Hassan Sultan, along other Qatari officials, had agreed to carry out hostile acts in Bahrain. It added that those meetings began in 2010 in Bahrain and abroad and some were coordinated by Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

Investigations corroborated that Qatar had engaged in activities targeting many Arab countries, particularly Bahrain, by calling for resisting and confronting the authorities through force, violence and terrorist crimes.

In August, Bahrain revealed that a conversation between Hamad bin Jassem bin Jaber Al Thani and Ali Salman occurred following the events in the country between February 14 and March 16, 2011.

Earlier, investigations led to the discovery of money transfers made to Wefaq member Hasan Issa. Bahraini security services confirmed that this funding was used in the operation in Sitra on July 2015 that killed two security men and injured eight others.

Advocate-General Chancellor Ahmed al-Hammadi said the probe corroborated the events and proved that Qatar had engaged in activities targeting many Arab countries, particularly Bahrain.

He explained that since 2010, Doha had mobilized its media to attack the ruling regime in Bahrain and contacted some elements, including Ali Salman and others, for this purpose. 

The Advocate-General asserted that the two sides had held direct meetings in Bahrain and abroad, and Hezbollah members working for the interests of Qatar, exchanged messages and held phone conversations that had been monitored in line with legal procedures.

Those meetings revealed that both parties shared a willingness to carry out hostile acts in Bahrain and exchange information about the movement of the military forces that were assigned to maintaining security and stability during the 2011 events in Bahrain, and discussed hostile acts that could be conducted to face military actions.

The suspects appeared in the Qatari media and spread information and news aimed at damaging Bahrain’s military, political and economic status and undermining its status.

The suspects carried out hostile acts by calling for resisting and fighting the authorities using force and violence and through terrorist crimes, Hammadi added.

He stated that the defendants received financial support from Qatar.

Reports also showed that Ali Salman asked one of the suspects to carry out acts that would damage the country and appointed another as a communication officer with Qatar, he stated, adding that they held several meetings, issued statements and made interviews with Qatari media.

The Advocate-General noted that the suspects also released to Qatari officials classified information that serves Doha.

Salman was interrogated in the presence of his lawyer, and was presented with evidence against him.

He is already serving a four-year prison sentence for inciting hatred and insulting the interior ministry after his arrest in 2015.



Iran Signals Readiness to Expand Economic, Cultural Ties with Saudi Arabia

Saudi Crown Prince meets Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah on Tuesday — SPA
Saudi Crown Prince meets Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah on Tuesday — SPA
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Iran Signals Readiness to Expand Economic, Cultural Ties with Saudi Arabia

Saudi Crown Prince meets Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah on Tuesday — SPA
Saudi Crown Prince meets Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah on Tuesday — SPA

Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alireza Enayati, described Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s recent visit to Riyadh as a clear sign on Tehran’s willingness to deepen economic and cultural relations with the kingdom.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Enayati said Tuesday’s visit focused on reviewing bilateral ties and cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Iran. He emphasized Tehran’s commitment to strengthening relations with Riyadh and neighboring countries based on good neighborliness and shared interests.

During the visit, Araghchi held a series of high-level meetings with key Saudi officials, including Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, and Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.

Enayati said Iran is ready to broaden cooperation with Saudi Arabia across economic, trade, and cultural sectors. He highlighted that the Crown Prince expressed satisfaction with the growing understanding and collaboration between the two leading Muslim nations.

The ambassador, who attended the meetings, added that the Crown Prince reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s determination to continue advancing this path and develop relations in all fields.

Enayati also recalled Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of military aggression against Iran’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

He said the Crown Prince stressed that regional security and stability depend on cooperation and understanding among countries in the region. This includes leveraging all capabilities to prevent escalation and insecurity and prioritizing diplomatic tools to resolve disputes, according to Iran’s envoy.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed hope that the recently agreed ceasefire will help foster security and stability across the region, Saudi state news agency SPA reported.

During a reception for Araghchi in Jeddah, the Crown Prince reaffirmed Riyadh’s support for resolving disputes through diplomatic dialogue, describing it as the best path to lasting peace.

Araghchi thanked Saudi Arabia for its condemnation of Israeli aggression and praised the Crown Prince’s efforts to bolster regional security and stability.

Enayati conveyed Araghchi’s praise for “fruitful” security and defense consultations between the two countries.

Enayati described a recent visit to Tehran by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman as “highly significant and effective in advancing cooperation to strengthen regional security and stability.”

He added that Prince Khalid firmly condemned Israeli military aggression against Iran and extended condolences for the deaths of Iranian military and civilian figures in the attacks, according to the Iranian ambassador.

Prince Khalid took to X to outline the scope of his recent talks with Araghchi, emphasizing bilateral cooperation and regional security.

On his part, Enayati told Asharq Al-Awsat that Araghchi expressed gratitude to the Saudi government for its “valuable assistance” in facilitating the return of Iranian pilgrims amid disruptions caused by Israeli military aggression against Iran.

Enayati also relayed comments from Araghchi attributing recent Israeli attacks to what he described as the “impunity” enjoyed by the Israeli regime for its crimes against the Palestinian people and ongoing aggression toward other regional states.

The Iranian foreign minister strongly condemned the continued killing and displacement of Palestinians and the ongoing occupation.

He further denounced Israel’s repeated strikes against Lebanon and Syria, condemning the United Nations Security Council’s “silence and inaction,” which he described as a key factor in regional insecurity.