We are all Arabs aren't we? From the gulf to the ocean. We all share common goals and purposes. We all want, appreciate, and strive for democracy. We will remain diverse but united.

In Lebanon, differences are split along whether you are druze, christian, sunni, or shia. The most important issue of the day is the conflict with neighbouring Syria. In Iraq, if you were shia you voted for a shia, Kurdish for a Kurdish, and if sunni, just didn't vote. The result is a deadlocked parliament on sectarian lines that pays lip service to the idea of national unity. In Saudi Arabia, in El Ehsaa the majority of the winners in the council elections were shia, everywhere else they were islamist wahhabis. In Algeria, it's berbers against arabs. In Sudan, violence is verging on genocide.

In Bahrain, it seems Bahraini is not entirely how you define yourself nowadays. You are either shi3i, sunni, houli, bedouin, bahrani, 3ijmi or mojannas (naturalized from yemen, balushestan, jordan, or syria), with each side accusing the other of not being fully or properly bahraini. Some of us have ended up actually hating Syria, Jordan, and Yemen because of naturalization. Each side obviously votes for his own side, so like most other places in the Arabic world, we've got democracy split on sectarianism.

True to form, the recent Arab League meeting lived up to its expectations. Half the leaders didn't show up, nothing about the events in Lebanon or in Palestine were discussed, and as expected there were the usual useless arguments, ended by lip service being paid to the idea of Arab unity.

Is this the bargain that we get out of pluralism and democracy? Enshrining divisions on sectarian and dogmatic lines? Is national sovereignty all about getting into fights and squabbles with neighbouring countries that are supposed to be allies?

Nasser must be turning in his grave right now. The one good thing (out of many bad things) that his legacy left, the idea that we are all arabs, is slowly being eroded. Gone are the days when arabic unity actually meant and stood for something, where no matter if you were sunni, shi3i, houli, bedouin, egyptian, algerian, sudanian, black, white, brown, you were still arabic. Just look at the difference between the Arab League at its first inception and now.

Gone are the days when the Arabic world was united on its issues. Nasser's statement of "hold up your head my brother... colonialism has gone" is dead as Elvis. They're better than us in everything. Sports, science, economies, business, politics, military... They even dictate our political future and developments. They even now have the nerve of instructing us on how our religion should be moulded. We depend on them entirely for grants and the well being of our economy; if for any reason their economy is hit, then all our oil is worthless without their dollars.

The Arabic world was barely every a united place. A hundred years ago it was divided on tribal, ethnic, and sectarian lines. The broad idea of "Arabic" barely even existed. People were 7uwai6at, 3nezy, shamy, hashemi, al saoud. Arabism, while also creating many drawbacks, made great strides in making us that we were all part of a greater constructed entity. Now we're back to tribalism and sectarianism cloaked under pluralism and democracy. Sunnis distrusting shias and vice versa. Neighbouring countries making supreme enemies of each other, and vast areas engulfed in petty conflicts. The result is each turning to his own, fighting only for himself and his family.

All we can hope for is that there is a silver lining. We must hope that this is a phase that we have to go through before reaching the promised land. We must hope that at the end of a storm there's a golden sky, with the sweet silver song of a lark. We must walk on with hope in our heart, though our dreams be tossed and blown. Surely, after all the setbacks, we are close to a breakthrough?

For now, however, it's back to the jungle.

¶ 2:18 AM

Just got back from Kiev. It's an interesting place to say the least.

Hopefully all of you have been having a good time and for those in England, enjoy your easter break.

Also congratulations to the Bahraini national football team for an efficient and determined win over North Korea. Next stop Japan!

¶ 6:40 PM

Apparently the BahrainOnline crew have been released without bail (although the charges have not been dropped!). Congratulations to each of them, to their families and friends, and to anyone who suppored them.

¶ 12:39 PM

Apparently, any drugs confiscated by the Ministry of the Interior are yet to be destroyed. They are all stored in the Directorate For Fighting Drugs. Between 2002 and 2004 the amounts confiscated were: 16 Kg of Heroin, 804 kg of Hash, 3825608 pills, and other quantities of coke, qat, and other drugs.

I can just see the mouth of some pot heads and ravers foaming.

¶ 2:56 AM

Apparently the protest that was scheduled on Thursday night against the arrest of the Bahrainonline crew was called off. This was after rows of police were called in to make the message clear that no protest will take place. Four people were detained and then released without charge. If you went an in detail report, go to Chanad.


Intimidating and asking the protesters to leave is unreasonable on the part of the officials, and they should not have done so. However, is it the smartest idea to hold the protest on Exhibition Avenue?

Isn't this somehow just playing into the hand of officials? I am of course referring to the events more than two years (English)ago on New Years Eve 2003. Infamously, a big gang of youth that gathered in Exhibition Road to "celebrate" New Years ended up smashing several cars and shops. Several other Gulf Nationals, particularly Saudis, who were in Exhibition Road to enjoy "tourism" in Bahrain, got beaten up as well.

In that incident, there were many accusations that the Police have become too lenient, as they were right there in Exhibition Avenue and did nothing. Furthermore, the state media machine wasted no time in trying to connect the political opposition somehow with these attacks, and that somehow, even if they did not actually directly order them, they were responsible for them. Many people, with the stereotypical belief that these youths were poor shia and therefore must be opposition followers, believed this.

Ever since then, the government has disallowed gatherings and demonstrations in Exhibition avenue. There probably are many people in Bahrain and in the Gulf who are saying, "too right this demonstration was stopped. Last time there was a gathering, people and property got damaged, not to mention Bahrain's reputation with other Gulf Nationals."


Keep in mind as well that the demonstration was being held on a Thursday, the busienst week night in terms of other Gulf nationalities flocking to Exhibition Road. It is is conceivable that the police were just itching for something to go wrong in the demonstration and a clash to be started. Then they could say, "Look, what did we tell you? These guys want nothing but trouble and to cause havoc in Bahrain. Remember New Years' two years ago? Well they're at it again."

I understand that the Bahrainonline crew is being held in the Hoora Police Station, but why play into the official's hands? This is unless confrontation is actually being sought with the government, and a message of taking it to the next level was the goal?

Anyway, the court case on the BahrainOnline issue is due in a couple of days, so let's wait and see what happens there. Any chance of the court case being thrown out and them being released?

¶ 1:19 AM

On Tuesday, a new conflict engulfed our esteemed parliament, between the honourable MP Mr. Jassim Al Saidi and the honourable Minister of Labour Dr. Majeed Al Alawi. Mr Al Saeedi accused the minister of segregation and favouritism in Ministry's Employment policies, favouring shia staff over Sunni. He also charged the minister with violating the constitution by being so late in responding to his question regarding the names and qualifications of those hired by the ministry. Al Alawi responded back by wondering how some MPs in this parliament got in when they are not even fit enough to be doormen, and that it is the parliament that has become a source of sectarianism. Naturally, this did not go down well with Al Saeedi or Al Dhahrani, the head of parliament. Matters were threatening to escalate.


Today, however, all seems to have been resolved. The Prime Minister held a conciliatory meeting between Al Saeedi, Al Alawi, and others involved. Here is a picture of everyone smiling afterwards:

It's all sorted out

And we all lived happily ever after.

¶ 4:45 AM

Well here's something interesting to know: The Bahraini Football Team is featured on Winning Eleven, the popular PS2 football game. Apparently Konami, the company that made the game, put quite an effort in to get the heights, skin color, shape, etc.. of the players in the game to reflect reality. See if you can guess who are the players in these pictures:

This is also just a reminder that Bahrain is playing in a fortnight time two very important away games in the World Cup Qualifiers: against North Korea in Pyongyang on the 25th of March and against Japan in Saitama. Stay tuned for more posts on this!

A completely shocking development has been the recent resignation of our head coach Srecko Juricic, right in the middle of our most important football campaign ever simply for a bit of extra cash from Qatara or UAE teams. You bastard! How can you do this to us? Anyway, I shouldn't jump to conclusions, as as the man might have some other better reasons than the ones stated. More on that as it develops.

To add to our woes, Alaa Hubail, our reknowned striker, is out for six weeks. This just keeps getting better and better.

On a better note, congratulations to all the Liverpool fans for the team's qualification to the Champions League Qaurter Finals. Tough luck to Arsenal and Manchester United, but to be honest guys, you were way outclassed by two REAL GIANTS of European Football:)

¶ 4:04 AM

Well, we all thought how stunning it was that Lebanon was united over the past few weeks. We all thought that the Lebanese were in agreement in their distaste for the Syrian government and in their need to leave the country. We thought that all spectrums of the Lebanese society joined in the demonstrations over the last few days. Well, think again.

Not to be outgunned, Hizbullah and other pro-Syrian factions have organized a massive demonstration today in Beirut (figures put at 500,000), easily dwarfing any of the oppositions' demonstrations. This occured while Syria started its pullback of troops from Southern and Northern Lebanon. The stated goal of the demonstration was to voice opposition to UN resolution 1559 and "thank Syria, which has stayed by our side for many years."

We represent Lebanon

No, we represent Lebanon

The purpose was to send a clear message to the U.S. and France. To the U.S., Nasrallah's words were "We have defeated them in the past and if they come again we will defeat them again," in the midst of chants of "Death to America" from demonstrators. To Jacques Chirac, "If you wanted Democracy in Lebanon then the majority of Lebanese people reject 1559. Isn't this Democracy?"

Obviously, the other goal of the demonstration was to show that the demonstrations of the past few days do not reflect the viewpoint of all, or maybe even the majority, of the Lebanese.

One thing that it also brings to the fore is that Lebanon is not as united as we may have recently believed, and that divisions and tensions still remain. As is always in the Arab World, things are not always what they seem at first glance.

pro-Syrian girl

opposition girls

¶ 12:04 AM

Well, it seems Ashoora is in the headlines again. The cabinet of ministers, the shura council and the the parliament have all issued statements regretting events in Ashoora which "threaten national unity". There is apparently unhappiness that religion is mixed with politics.

The government is not esctatic that the Hussaini processions are frequently dotted with references to Shia figures from outside the country. Ashoora processions are usually filled with pictures of figures such as Nasrollah, Fadlallah, Khomeini, and Sistani. This, it seems, has finally touched a raw nerve.

The other thing that angered the government is that Ashoora is also a time when members of the opposition interject religious talks in matams with talks criticising the government. Well with the new resurgence and "in-your-faceness" of Ashoora, and the increased coverage it garners, the government is not too keen about this aspect.



Can Ashoora and politics (not) be separated in Bahrain?

¶ 4:51 AM

Nowadays, all the talks, activities, turmoils, and events occuring in the middle east seem to be centered around the idea of democracy and freedom of expression. People on one side demanding to receive democracy and their freedom, while other sides go around trumpeting that they have already given democracy to their citizens. In Iraq, democracy is the the hot word. In Lebanon, democracy is the hot word. In Bahrain, in Kuwait, in Egypt. Even in Saudi Arabia, it seems democracy is being discussed.

Which leads one to wonder, is democracy simply institutions, or do you also need the general mentality and atmosphere of democracy to prevail in all spheres of society? Is it enough to have a system of democracy when the people themselves don't seem to fully understand the basic tenents of democracy?

Let me explain. I'm currently living in what is considered the birthplace of modern democracy. This place has had nearly 1000 years with some form or another of parliament. Foreigners who come here always marvel at how well the machines of democracy are oiled here, even down to the most trivial aspects. AND IT IS TRUE. If you look at what is available here and ocmpare to what we have back home, all you can do is despair.

For example, the other day I was reading the mail. We had received a letter from our local council about our particular street. Apparently the street was being rennovated, and they wanted our opinion. There was a whole brochure painstakingly describing all the areas where changes were sought with the different options available, with boxes for us to tick our desired choice. There was the general outline of the street. Did we want it cobbled or just plane asphalt? How about the general decoration on the street? There was a hippy design, a green leefy design, and a more swanky modern design. Then there were the street lamps. Did we want a classical look or a more unorthodox design? How about the greenery decorating the place? Pine trees, flowers, or just plain shrubs? EVEN THE GODDAMN TRASH BINS had a choice as well. There was a classic wooden shape, a modern metallic artistic shape, or just plain old black.

And this was in some anonymous bland suburb on the edge of the city. Now I know that it will probably be bored housewifes or old people who are most bothered to reply , but imagine: you can have an input into how you want the street that you live on and pass by everyday to look. Now please can anyone tell me if they can imagine that in Bahrain? Can you imagine your local councillor or mayor coming down to ask you what kind of bricks you want laid out on the street? Can you imagine someone taking your opinion for A DUSTBIN TO BE EVEN INSTALLED, let alone what shape and colour it should be?

Then I get on the bus to go to college. Lo and behold, up on the bus is a sign from the city council. Apparently the locally elected bus committee is meeting to discuss improvements to the bus system. ALL THOSE INTERESTED COULD ATTEND. They were discussing everything from fares down to the tapestry design that should be in the buses. How many of you have ever heard of a local committe to look over AlNAKL AL 3AM?

Then I reach college. Now I have been elected to be social secretary of my college graduate community, which is made up of no more than 103 people with only 50 people being earnestly active. For this small amount, there is a general committee, a president, a treasurer, a secretary, social secretary, general representatives, academic representatives, social subcomittee, academic subcomittee, long term strategy committee, and even a bar committee. Being social secretary, I'm supposed to organize events, dinners, and parties for these chaps, and I get hassled down to the last minute detail about them. I even got hassled with a "constructive debate" about what type of linen I was ordering for the dinner! GODDAMN LINEN!

Now believe me, being from the Middle East, I was aching to reach out and blaze out my sword shouting, " I'll show you a constructive debate. NOW TELL ME ABOUT THAT LINEN WHILE I GO MIDIEVAL ON YOUR ASS."

¶ 4:00 PM

Thanks to Chan'ad, there is now a Free Ali blog. It basically compiles all the posts from Bahraini blogs into one source instead of having to jump around from one site to another. It also contains news digests and reports on the situation. Please take a look!

Also, Desert Island Boy has drafted a letter that you can send to dignataries and officials. However, be warned: Contacting country-specific foreign officials (e.g. U.S.), with the exception of international organizations like Amnesty International, is a thorny issue in Bahrain that even many opposition members are against. It could have unforeseen and unintended consequences.

I'm off to bed now. Keep on blogging!

¶ 2:40 AM

Well the police have been busy the last few days.

Abdul Raouf Al Shayeb, the head of the National Committe for Martyrs and Victims of Torture, has been sentenced on the 27th of February to two months in jail and paying a bail of 300 dinars. The felony he committed is entering a house without the consent of its owner, apparently to meet an Indonesian maid. Now Al Shayeb is currently away to in Geneva as an observerat the Human Rights Convention (here is the report on racial discrimination in Bahrain that was discussed), so the assumption is that he will be arrested when he enters Bahrain.

The beginning of this saga was roughly this time of year last year, where he was arrested just prior to the Formula 1 on the above charges. The charges were more encompassing however, as his name was notoriously published in all the local newspapers with the charge of having an illicit sexual relationship with the maid. Keep in mind that in Bahrain it is customary that the names of individuals are not published in such cases. Al Shayeb always maintained that he went their to pick up a letter that she wanted it delivered to another maid. Apparently the charge of the sexual affair has been dropped and he has only been convicted of unlawfully entering a private property.

Something to keep in mind in all of this is that Al Shayeb was planning a demonstration with the National Committe for Martyrs and Victims of Torture last April to coincide with the Formula 1. His arrest, along with a rumoured tacit agreement between the opposition and the government not to disturb the Formula 1 arrangements and hurt the image of the country (which is supposedly one of the reasons why the first consitutional conference's date was moved), prevented the demonstration from occuring. Another demonstration by the same group was planned to coincide with this year's formula 1, so it is interesting to put Al Shayeb's current arrest order in this context.

Furthermore, three people from the Committee of Unemployed were reportedly arrested for distributing banners and leaflets, but they have apparently been released without charge for lack of evidence.

What's going on? Is this, along with the arrest of Bahrainonline.org crew, all part of a wider plot, or are these all unrelated events taken on by different individuals in the general attorney's office? How is this exactly going to be good for the government just prior to the formula 1? Isn't this just calling for demonstrations to occur at that period? I somehow am a bit puzzled if this is indeed the work of high ranking officials intentionally orchestrating and coordinating all of these arrests to achieve a wider aim, especially when the eyes of the world are going to be focused on Bahrain with the Formula 1 coming up. Maybe the theory of elements withing the high ranks trying to derail the reform and its image abroad does hold some ground after all? Something fishy is going on here.

¶ 11:08 PM

If anyone is interested on the specific laws violated and the charges compiled against those detained, here is a list. I'm not sure how accurate the information is, but here is my rough translation:

1. Section: 165 (Incitement and Hatred of the Regime)
Charge: From the Law of Penalties
Punishment: 3 years in jail.

1. Section: 214 (Defaming the royal entity)
Charge: From the Law of Penalties
Punishment: 3 years in jail.

3.Section violated : 75
Charge: From the Telecommunication Law
Punishment: 6 months in jail.

4.Section violated: 68
Charge: from Press Law ( law #47, issued 2000)
Punishment: 6 months in jail.


Section 165 of the Penalties law penalizes parties for:

المادة 165من قانون العقوبات:التحريض على كراهية نظام الحكم والازدراء به

My rough translation: Incitement to hatred of the ruling regime and defaming it

It is interesting to recall that this is the same law that Abdul Hadi Al Khawajah was found guilty of (among other laws). Does this provide an omen about where this is heading?


Now to the Second charge. Section 214 of the Penalties Law penalizes parties for:

المادة 214من قانون العقوبات: المساس بالذات الملكية

Rough Translation: Defaming the Royalt Entity


On to the third charge: Here is a link to the English version of the Communications Law. Here is the Arabic version. Look at section 75:

Without prejudice to any stricter penalty provided for in the law of Penalties or any other law, every person that uses telecommunications equipment or the telecommunications network intending:

1 to send any message in the knowledge that the contents of the message are false, misleading, offensive to public policy or morals, endanger the safety of third parties or prejudice the efficiency of any service;

...





Finally, the fourth charge. The Voice of Bahrain website has a link to the press law in Arabic. Particularly relevant are sections 68 to 74:

مادة (68) : مع عدم الإخلال بعقوبة أشد ينص عليها قانون العقوبات أو أي قانون آخر ، يعاقب على نشر ما يتضمن فعلا من الأفعال الآتية بالحبس مدة لاتقل عن ستة أشهر
أ ) التعرض لدين الدولة الرسمي في مقوماته و أركانه بالإساءة أو النقد

ب ) التعرض للملك بالنقد ، أو إلقاء المسئولية عليه عن أي عمل من أعمال الحكومة

ج ) التحريض على ارتكاب جنايات القتل أو النهب أو الحرق أو جرائم مخلة بأمن الدولة ، إذا لم تترتب على على هذا التحريض أية جريمة
د ) التحريض على قلب نظام الحكم أو تغييره

وفي حالة العود خلال ثلاث سنوات من تاريخ الحكم في الجريمة السابقة تكون العقوبة السجن مدة لاتزيد على خمس سنوات ، وذلك مع عدم الإخلال بتوقيع العقوبات التكميلية المنصوص عليها في المادة (75) من هذا القانون .

مادة (69) : مع عدم الإخلال بأية عقوبة أشد ينص عليها قانون العقوبات أو أي قانون آخر ، يعاقب بغرامة لاتزيد على ألفي دينار على نشر ما من شأنه

أ – التحريض على بغض طائفة أو طوائف من الناس ، أو على الإزدراء بها ، أو التحريض الذي يؤدي تكدير الأمن العام أو بث روح الشقاق في المجتمع و المساس بالوحدة الوطنية .

ب – منافاة الآداب العامة أو المساس بكرامة الأشخاص أو حياتهم الخاصة .

ج – التحريض على عدم الإنقياد للقوانين ، أو تحسين أمر من الأمور التي تعد جناية أو جنحة في نظر القانون .

مادة (70) : مع عدم الإخلال بأية عقوبة أشد ينص عليها قانون العقوبات أو أي قانون آخر ، يعاقب بالعقوبة المنصوص عليها في المادة السابقة على نشر ما يتضمن :

أ ) عيبا في حق ملك أو رئيس دولة عربية أو إسلامية ، أو أية دولة أخرى تتبادل مع مملكة البحرين التمثيل الدبلوماسي .

ب ) إهانة أو تحقيرا لأي مجلس تشريعي أو المحاكم أو غيرها من الهيئات النظامية .

ج ) نشر أخبار كاذبة أو أوراق مصطنعة أو مزورة مسندة بسؤ نية إلى الغير متى كان من شأن هذا النشر تكدير الأمن العام أو إلحاق ضرر نمصلحة عامة .

د ) نشر أنباء عن الإتصالات الرسمية السرية ، أو بيانات خاصة بقوة الدفاع يترتب على إذاعتها ضرر للصالح العام ، أو إذا كانت الحكومة قد حظرت نشرها ، وتضاعف العقوبة إذا ارتكبت الجريمة في وقت الحرب أو أثناء تعبة عامة أو جزئية لقوة دفاع البحرين .

ولا يجوز اتخاذ الإجراءات الجنائية في الحالات المنصوص عليها في البند ( ب ) من هذه المادة إلا بناء على طلب رئيس الهيئة أو الجهة ذات الشأن .

مادة (71) : مع عدم الإخلال بأية عقوبة أشد ينص عليها قانون العقوبات أو أي قانون آخر ، يعاقب بالغرامة التي لاتجاوز ألف دينار على نشر ما يلي :

أ ) ما جرى في الدعاوي القضائية التي قررت المحكمة سماعها في جلسة سرية ، أو نشر ما جرى في الجلسات العلنية محرفا وبسؤ نية

.ب ) ما جرى في الجلسات السرية للمجالس التشريعية أو لجانها أو نشر ما جرى في الجلسات العلنية لها محرفا و بسؤ نية .

ج ) الأحكام الصادرة في جرائم الإغتصاب و الاعتداء على العرض و جرائم الأحداث إذا كان الغرض من نشرها التحريض على الفجور و الدعارة .

د ) أخبار أية جريمة قررت سلطة التحقيق منع نشرها .

هـ) أنباء من شأنها التأثير في قيمة العملة الوطنية أو بلبلة الأفكار عن الوضع الإقتصادي للبلاد أو نشر أخبار إفلاس تجار أو محال تجارية و صيارفة بدون إذن خاص من المحكمة المختصة .

و ) ما يتضمن عيبا في حق ممثل دولة أجنبية معتمدة لدى مملكة البحرين وبسبب أعمال تتعلق بوظيفته.

ز ) أي إعلان أو بيان صادر من دولة أو هيئة أجنبية قبل موافقة الوزير .

مادة (72) : إذا نشر طعن في
أعمال موظف عام أو شخص ذي صفة نيابية عامة ، أو مكلف بخدمة عامة يتضمن قذفا في حقه ، عوقب رئيس التحرير و كاتب المقال بعقوبة القذف المقررة في قانون العقوبات إلا غذا أثبت صحة الوقائع المسندة وكانت هذه الوقائع متصلة بالوظيفة أو الخدمة .

مادة (73) : لايعفي من المسئولية الجنائية بشأن ما ينص عليه في المواد السابقة مجرد الإستناد إلى أن الكتابات أو الرسوم أو الرموز أو طرق التعبير الأخرى إنما نقلت أو ترجمت عن مطبوعات صدرت في مملكة البحرين أو في الخارج ، أو أنها لم تزد على كونها ترديد إشاعات ، أو روايات عن الغير .

مادة (74) : مع عدم الإخلال بالمسئولية الجنائية بالنسبة لكاتب المقال أو المؤلف أو واضع الرسم أو غير ذلك من طرق التعبير ، يعاقب رئيس التحرير عما ينشر في الصحيفة ولو تعددت أقسامها وكان لكل منها محرر مسئول عن القسم الذي حدث فيه النشر .

I unfortunately couldn't find an online English version of the Press law. I'll translate the parts most relevant to this case (rought translation so don't hold me accountable):

Chapter Six

Criminal Responsibility

Section 68

Without prejudice to any stricter penalty provided for in the law of Penalties or any other law, a penality of no less than six months imprisonment shall be imposed on publishing what contains one of the following acts:

B- Questioning the king by criticism or directing blame to him for any act of the government, or holding him accountable.

C- Incitement to commit the felonies of murder or theft or arson or felonies that destabilize national security on the condition that no material consequences arised from this incitement.

D- Incitement to overthrow or change the regime.

And the list goes on and on, including e.g. defaming the head of another Islamic or Arabic country (section 70a), defaming a legislating body or court (70b), an official of a foreign country working in bahrain (71f), defaming a figure in a public position (72). Particularly interesting is section 73, which roughly states that the legal responsibility is not lifted by claiming that the writings were simply reports or translations from other publications inside or outside of Bahrain, or stating that they are no more than rumours, or narrations from other parties. In other words, if my understanding of the legal document is correct, a person is responsible for anything reported in his journal or website, whether he is the author or not.

Section 74 is also relevant as well:

Without prejudice to the criminal responsibility of the article's writer or author or drawer or any other form expression, the chief editor is penalized for what is published in the newspaper even if it has multiple sections, and even if each section where the publication occured has its own editor.

This particular section is the most worrying. Based on this, I can see the prosecution having a strong case. I also can see all of us bloggers falling under this and being responsible for all the comments published in our blogs or forums!!

As you can tell the overall list is actually pretty comprehensive! It probably could result in most of us bloggers jailed if applied strictly.

Heh, any legal experts around to decipher all of this?

¶ 10:40 PM

The word about the arrest has spread like wild fire around the media, with a large chunk of the thanks going to forums and bloggers. Will this have repercussions for bloggers? Somehow I have this suspicion that the government is not yet onto the role blogs can play in spreading info. This is most probably because either the government does not know yet about the existence of blogs or they consider them too small a fish to fry at the moment, mainly because blogs are yet to catch on in popularity and readership in Bahrain as forums have.

However, even if they don't currently acquire a large local readership, this incident has definitely shown another force which bloggers can have: spreading news around. I suspect that one of the main reasons the news has spread so fast in English blogs and news sources is due to Bahraini blogs in English. Hence, this will most probably attract the government's attention to blogs. It remains to be seen what the repurcussions, whether self imposed or by force, for bloggers will be.

If you want to hear Curt Hopkins from Committee to Protect Bloggers talk about the role blogs can play in spreading news and other matters relating to the arrest, here is the link to the interview on BBC Radio Five Live (go to 1:44:00).

¶ 12:35 PM