Ten-Year Sentence for Bahraini Photographer Signals Escalating Crackdown on Wartime Reporting

April 29, 2026 – Bahrain –

Bahraini photojournalist Sayed Baqer Al-Kamel has been sentenced to ten years in prison, prompting strong condemnation from press freedom organizations and raising renewed concerns about the criminalization of journalism under national security laws in the Gulf.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, Al-Kamel was convicted after posting visual material related to a recent regional conflict involving Iran. Authorities accused him of promoting content perceived as supportive of an adversary, publishing sensitive material, and documenting sites deemed strategically important during wartime.

Al-Kamel, a freelance photographer with a history of prior arrests, was detained on March 1, 2026, following a raid on his home by plainclothes officers. His arrest came shortly after he shared a video showing a fire in a high-rise building in Bahrain’s Seef district, accompanied by a message urging prayers for the country. The video was later removed.

The case unfolded amid heightened restrictions on information sharing during the conflict. On March 4, Bahrain’s Defense Force issued a directive banning the filming, photographing, or dissemination of images related to military operations or sensitive sites, warning that violations could result in prosecution.

Rights advocates have challenged the basis of the charges, arguing that Al-Kamel was engaged in routine journalistic activity rather than endangering national security. A Bahrain-based rights defender cited by CPJ stated that the photographer had not captured military installations but was documenting events in a nearby civilian area.

Press freedom groups, including Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain and other regional organizations, have condemned the sentence as disproportionate and politically motivated. They warn that vague wartime regulations are increasingly being used to suppress independent reporting and restrict the flow of information.

The ruling also included the confiscation of Al-Kamel’s equipment, further limiting his ability to continue his work. Observers note that such measures reflect a broader regional trend in which authorities invoke security concerns to justify legal action against journalists and media workers.

Al-Kamel’s sentencing underscores the growing risks faced by journalists covering sensitive developments in the Gulf, particularly during periods of geopolitical tension. His case highlights how legal frameworks tied to national security can be applied expansively, blurring the line between legitimate reporting and criminal conduct, and contributing to an increasingly restrictive media environment.

Reference –

https://aohr.org.uk/bahrain-photographer-sayed-baqer-al-kamel-sentenced-to-10-years-in-prison/

https://www.mysteriumvpn.com/blog/news/bahrain-sentence-photographer-10-years

Bahrain sentences photographer Sayed Baqer Al-Kamel to 10 years in prison