Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa performs the Ardah, a national folk dance, during a ceremony organised by residents of Southern Governorate to show their support and loyalty, in Riffa, south of Manama, Bahrain, April 10, 2013. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
MANAMA (Reuters) - The king of Bahrain has approved a law imposing a jail sentence of up to seven years and a fine of up to 10,000 dinars (16,276.64 pounds) for anyone who publicly insults him.
King Hamad's measure highlights the sensitivity of Bahrain and other Gulf Arab states to criticism of senior officials and ruling family members as well as to political dissent. Courts in Kuwait and Qatar have imposed jail terms on several nationals for insulting their rulers in past years.
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