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Bahrain to Take Legal Measures Against Supporters of Qatar-Linked Groups | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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FILE PHOTO: A view shows buildings in Doha, Qatar, June 9, 2017. REUTERS/Naseem Zeitoon


Bahrain’s minister of justice threatened legal measures against any political organization found communicating or expressing support for the people named in a new Qatar-associated list of banned terrorist individuals and entities.

The “ministry will hold accountable whoever uses religion in favor of any organizational links or loyalty to a foreign state or entity targeting the sovereignty, unity and stability of countries, whether through political societies or through raising money for religious purposes or religious discourse, “Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa said in a statement carried by state news agency BNA.

Shaikh Khalid underscored the continuous cooperation with the Ministry of Interior on combating funds or donations related to those individuals or entities.

The minister stressed rejection of all forms of connection that use external organizations as a means to interfere in domestic affairs.

“Allegiance to religion and to the homeland is through safeguarding the sovereignty and security of the country and protecting its gains, progress, and values of citizenship and coexistence,” he said.

The minister affirmed the importance of confronting any course of action that conflicts with the fundamentals and top interests of the Kingdom, which, he said, reflects the strong faith, commitment, and responsibility towards countering all forms of extremism, terrorism, and violence, regardless of their sources.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain on Friday designated as terrorists dozens of people and groups with alleged links to Qatar, after severing diplomatic relations with Qatar on Monday.

The four states accuse Qatar of supporting Islamist militants and arch-foe Iran.