Manama: King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa has reinstated the citizenship of 551 convicts whose nationality had been revoked by courts.
The royal order is in line with the provisions of the law that stipulates rulings related to citizenship withdrawal will not be effective unless they are approved by the King, a statement posted on Bahrain News Agency said.
King Hamad had given directives to authorities to assess the situation of convicts whose citizenship was revoked before the final implementation of the court judgement, the news agency said.
The study and evaluation of the situation of convicts should be based on criteria pertaining to the seriousness, impact and consequences of the crimes, as well as to the danger the convict may pose to national security.
The Bahraini monarch has requested the interior minister to study the citizenship revocation rulings and to prepare a list of individuals who will benefit from the reinstatement, BNA said.
Hundreds of Bahrainis had their citizenships revoked after they were put on trial on terrorism-related charges.