Qatar funds opposition media outlets in Bahrain

CAIRO – 15 June 2017: Qatar funded a group of Bahraini opposition channels, online and print newspapers with more than $10 million, Bahraini newspaper Al-Watan revealed Thursday.

Qatar sought to broadcast opposition content against Bahrain's government and policies through financing media outlets in the small Gulf state, Al-Watan said.

Communications between the former Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim and Saeed Al Shehabi, who led the London-based Bahrain Freedom Movement, were held to set plans between Qatar and the opposition group against Bahrain, Al-Watan claimed.

The movement has been led by Al Shehabi, who is involved in cases related to terrorism and wanted for trial in Bahrain's capital Manama.

Al Shehabi's Bahrain Freedom Movement was designated on the terrorist list announced by four Arab countries; Saudi Arabia, Unites Arab of Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt, that have recently severed ties with Qatar over charges of supporting terrorism.

Al-Watan reported there were intensive communications between the Qatari government and the movement five months ahead of wide-scale protests in February 2011 in Bahrain.

In September 2010, a clandestine meeting was held between bin Jassim and Al Shehabi in London to discuss issues of cooperation and financial support to his movement and opposition media outlets in Bahrain, Al-Watan said.

They agreed that Qatar would finance the opposition Bahraini movement and set up and fund a satellite channel that would be operated by Al Shehabi.

Also, bin Jassim praised the movement's efforts in achieving its “fair demands,” expressing Doha's interest in enhancing "political organizations’ pursuit of freedom."

These Qatari-financed media outlets in Bahrain aimed at defaming the country as well as broadcasting opposition content to incite public opinion and stir strife within the society following of the 2011 protests.