Attorney General establishes Cybercrime Prosecution

Manama, Nov.8 (BNA): Attorney General Dr. Ali bin Fadhl Al-Buainain has today issued Edict (59) of 2022, establishing the Cybercrime Prosecution. Headed by a chief prosecutor, the newly-established cybercrime panel will feature a sufficient number of Public Prosecution members. It will investigate and dispose of IT crimes, including crimes of assault on systems, data and information or any other means that have the ability to receive, send, process, store or retrieve data. It will also probe crimes targeting telecommunications, as well as crimes using electronic means, provided that its jurisdiction in respect of such crimes extends to the rest of the Kingdom's territory. The Attorney General assigned the Cybercrime Prosecution to coordinate the Family and Child Prosecution to monitor, study and analyze crimes against children using information technology means, set recommendations to combat abuses and avoid its recurrence, in addition to providing psychological and social support for child victims. The Cybercrime Prosecution has also been assigned to follow up on all cases before the courts, and to review and study the verdicts issued in coordination with the Appeal Prosecution. It is also required to submit a semi-annual report to the Attorney General on its work and the progress of investigations in it, provided that it includes the latest methods and means of committing cybercrimes. It will also coordinate with the relevant authorities, to develop work in the field of combating cybercrime, monitor physical and technical evidence, and submit the necessary legislative proposals to enhance control procedures and investigation capabilities, ensure effective law enforcement and prosecution of this type of crime. The Attorney General has already issued edicts establishing several specialized prosecutions that contributed to achieving prompt justice, including the Trafficking in Persons Prosecution, the Financial Crimes and Money Laundering Prosecution, Tax Evasion Crimes Unit, and the Drug Crimes Unit.