The Public Prosecution in Bahrain has referred prominent political activist Mr. Ibrahim Sharif to trial. He remains in pre-trial detention, with the session scheduled for 26 November before the Minor Criminal Court. He faces charges of deliberately spreading false news and “publicly insulting foreign countries”, following his public expression of political opinion.
According to human rights monitoring, Sharif was arrested on 12 November 2025 immediately upon his arrival at Bahrain International Airport after participating in a political event abroad. The nature of the charges indicates that the allegations relate to protected political expression under the guarantees of freedom of opinion and expression, and do not involve any acts of violence or incitement.
Ibrahim Sharif has a long record of peaceful political activism and has previously faced a series of arrests due to his public positions, raising concerns that the current measures may be part of a broader pattern targeting political figures critical of government policies.
Available human rights data indicate that the use of charges such as “false news” and “insulting countries” has become a repeated tool to restrict freedom of expression and hold individuals accountable for their opinions, contrary to international standards that guarantee citizens the right to express their views without fear of criminal prosecution.
In conclusion, this case underscores the continuing need for stronger legal guarantees to protect the right to freedom of expression, to stop measures targeting peaceful political voices, and to ensure a fair and transparent trial free from political considerations, preventing the use of criminal accountability to restrict public participation.