Bahrain Backs 5-Year Sentences for King Insults, F1 Sponsors to Limit Activities

Local Editor

Bahrain's government backed proposals to impose penalties of up five years in prison for insulting the Gulf state's king or its national symbols, the media said Monday.

It's the latest move across the region against dissent on the streets and online.

Bahrain's Cabinet approved proposals to impose jail terms up to five years and fines of 10,000 dinars [$26,500] for defaming the king or Bahrain's flag or coat of arms. It's unclear how widely the new laws could be applied, but anti-government protests often include chants against the king in the strategic island nation, which is home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet.

Meanwhile, Bahrain is pledging to expand security before hosting next week's Formula One race after a series of explosions, including a gas cylinder blast that set a car ablaze in the Gulf nation's financial district.

This comes as the sponsors of the Formula One auto race say they plan to limit or stop their sponsorship for the Bahrain Grand Prix amid ongoing anti-regime demonstrations in the country.
The sponsor companies said they would not display their brands in the event to save money for the less politically sensitive events in the future.

Thomson Reuters, a partner of the Williams Formula One team, and Vodafone, which sponsors the McLaren team, are among the companies that will limit their involvement in the Bahrain Grand Prix this month.

However, some sponsors said they would focus their activities on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November instead of the Bahrain race.

"Abu Dhabi has taken a lot away from Bahrain. Notwithstanding the trouble in Bahrain, the Abu Dhabi race is more interesting for sponsors," said sponsorship consultant Jim Wright.
Bahrain is preparing to host the Formula One Grand Prix on April 19-21, while continuing to crack down on nation-wide anti-regime protests.

Over the past few days, thousands of Bahrainis have taken to the streets across the country to express opposition to the sporting event.
Bahrainis say Formula One's governing body, the FIA, should cancel the event in Bahrain over the ongoing crackdown by the al-Khalifa regime on the peaceful protests.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org