Bahrain: Death Penalty Upheld for Defendants in 2015 Bombings

Bahrain unanimously upheld a verdict against suspects held in the 2015 Abu Saiba bombings. (BNA)
Bahrain unanimously upheld a verdict against suspects held in the 2015 Abu Saiba bombings. (BNA)
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Bahrain: Death Penalty Upheld for Defendants in 2015 Bombings

Bahrain unanimously upheld a verdict against suspects held in the 2015 Abu Saiba bombings. (BNA)
Bahrain unanimously upheld a verdict against suspects held in the 2015 Abu Saiba bombings. (BNA)

Bahrain’s High Court of Appeal unanimously upheld a verdict handed down to 26 suspects in the 2015 Abu Saiba bombings that killed a security officer and injured many others including civilians, announced Chief of the Terror Crime Prosecution Advocate General Chancellor Ahmed al-Hammadi.

On February 1, the High Criminal Court sentenced one suspect to death, 13 to life in jail, eight to 15 years in prison, two suspects to five years and two suspects to three years.

The Court also ruled to revoke the Bahraini citizenship of 25 suspects and seized confiscated items. It also ordered 22 suspects to pay compensation for the damage caused in the blast.

Earlier, the Public Prosecution received a notification from the Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID) on the two bombings in Abu Saiba on August 28, 2015.

Some of the security officers' cars as well as private ones were damaged in the incident. A number of suspects were arrested on August 29, 2015.

Investigations showed that 32 suspects were implicated in the incident, 20 of whom were arrested and referred to the Public Prosecution.

They admitted to setting up a terrorist group, causing a blast, killing and attempted murder of the security officers.

The Public Prosecution relied in its investigation on testimonies of the security officers, eye-witnesses, the suspects' confession, technical reports and photographed evidences.

The suspects were referred to the High Criminal Court, which heard the case in the presence of their lawyer and issued its aforementioned verdict.



Saudi Interior Minister, Singapore's Coordinating Minister for National Security Discuss Regional Security Development

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Interior Minister, Singapore's Coordinating Minister for National Security Discuss Regional Security Development

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz received a phone call on Sunday from Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs of the Republic of Singapore K Shanmugam.

During the call, the two officials discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and current security developments amid the Iranian attacks targeting regional security and stability, SPA reported.

They also affirmed the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation and coordination in support of regional security and stability, in addition to discussing a number of topics of mutual interest.

Shanmugam expressed his country's condemnation of the Iranian attacks targeting the Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, affirming Singapore's solidarity with the Kingdom and the GCC states in all measures aimed at enhancing security and stability.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Riots Targeting UAE Embassy in Damascus

Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Riots Targeting UAE Embassy in Damascus

Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia condemned on Sunday the riots, assaults, and attempted vandalism that targeted the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates and the residence of its head of mission in Damascus.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom also slammed the “unacceptable offenses directed at the national symbols of the brotherly UAE.”

The ministry stressed the Kingdom’s “rejection of these attacks and all forms of violence against diplomats, stressing the need to ensure the protection of diplomats and diplomatic missions in line with relevant international laws and conventions.”

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi also slammed the attack against the UAE embassy in Damascus, urging Syrian authorities to hold those responsible to account.


Oman, Iran Hold Talks on Strait of Hormuz

Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
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Oman, Iran Hold Talks on Strait of Hormuz

Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)

Oman and Iran held talks on easing passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the Omani state news agency reported Sunday, with the key shipping chokepoint effectively closed due to war in the Middle East.

"Oman and Iran held a meeting at the deputy ministers level in the foreign ministries of the two countries, with the attendance of specialists from both sides, during which the possible options were discussed regarding ensuring the smooth passage through the Strait of Hormuz," the news agency posted on X.

"The experts from both sides put forward a number of visions and proposals regarding it," it added.