Organized Crime in Bahrain: A Complex Issue

Prevalence of Organized Crime

Levels of organized crime in Bahrain are considered fairly low. However, this does not mean that the issue is negligible.

Small groups are involved in the theft and smuggling of oil from Bahrain to neighboring states.
Foreign criminal groups operate on Bahraini territory and are involved in drug trafficking, mainly from other Asian countries.

Involvement of Foreign Criminal Groups

Iranian groups allegedly smuggle arms for opposition groups in Bahrain. This highlights the complex nature of organized crime in the region.

Ties to Organized Crime

Many criminal networks in Bahrain have a mixed membership of both Bahraini and foreign nationals. This creates a challenging environment for law enforcement agencies to combat organized crime.

State Involvement

There is limited evidence suggesting state involvement in organized crime activity in Bahrain. However, the monarchy provides patronage to a small group of supporters, particularly within the security sector, to protect its authority.

Corruption remains a pertinent issue in Bahrain, with the elite being one of the main drivers of the popular uprising in 2011.
The government continues to make efforts to combat organized crime, particularly in the area of human trafficking. However, corruption and perceived state involvement in organized crime put the effectiveness of these efforts into question.

Legislative Framework

Bahrain has a robust legislative framework to combat organized crime, including anti-trafficking laws and regulations against money laundering.

Anti-trafficking laws aim to prevent and punish human trafficking.
Regulations against money laundering help to detect and prevent financial crimes.

Judicial System

The judicial system is under the control of a member of the royal family, which raises concerns about its independence. Decisions are rarely swayed by bribes or other forms of payment, but political pressure puts court independence into question.

Overall, while organized crime in Bahrain is considered low-level, there are still concerns about corruption and state involvement in organized crime activities. The government’s efforts to combat organized crime are hampered by these issues, and the judicial system remains a concern due to its lack of independence.