Bahraini court sentences 15-year-old teen for participation in peaceful protest

Bahraini court sentences 15-year-old teen for participation in peaceful protest
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According to Shia Waves Persian, a Bahraini child, Ali Habib, 15 years old, has been sentenced to six months in prison on charges of participating in peaceful demonstrations.

Ali is the grandson of Sheikh Ali Al-Jidhafsi, a prominent religious figure in Bahrain.

Human rights activist Ebtisam Al-Saegh expressed concern that this ruling represents the targeting of children and teenagers for their political views. She stressed that such measures threaten freedom of expression and the future of Bahraini children.

This is not the first time Bahraini courts have issued such sentences against minors. In recent years, several Bahraini children have been sentenced to prison terms of up to four years for similar accusations of taking part in peaceful protests. These rulings have raised international concern about the state of children’s rights in Bahrain.

In April 2025, Bahrain’s Shura Council approved significant amendments to the juvenile justice laws, aiming to strengthen restorative justice and reduce reliance on prison sentences. However, activists warn that challenges remain in the effective implementation of these reforms.