The Shura Council in Bahrain will be notified on 18 October 2026 of Decree-Law No 41 of 2026. His Majesty King Hamad issued this legislative act to amend the 2013 Civil Aviation Law. These amendments introduce stricter penalties concerning the illegal use of drones within the kingdom. Legislative officials confirmed that the council is scheduled to receive formal notification of the legal updates during their session on Sunday. The new measures update existing regulatory frameworks governing unmanned aerial vehicles to address security concerns identified by the government.
Severe Penalties for Drone Offenses
Illegal use of drones that endangers airspace carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison under the updated regulations. Authorities have defined specific escalations for more severe offenses involving unmanned aerial vehicles. Use of drones for terrorist purposes or targeting critical infrastructure is now punishable by life imprisonment. The legal framework also addresses the most extreme outcomes of such violations. Drone-related actions resulting in fatalities can be punished by the death penalty. These measures establish a clear tiered system of sentencing based on the nature and consequence of the unauthorized operation within Bahrain.
Privacy and Unauthorized Surveillance Regulations
Illegal filming of restricted areas, military operations, or private activities using unmanned aerial vehicles can now result in up to five years in prison. These measures aim to curb unauthorized surveillance activities across Bahrain. Operators who conduct unauthorized drone flights may also face fines reaching BD3,000 for their actions.
Specific protections regarding personal and public life have also been codified. Invading privacy or recording public gatherings without official approval carries a penalty of up to five years in prison. Individuals found guilty of these specific privacy-related offenses face mandatory fines ranging between BD2,000 and BD5,000. These regulations supplement existing aviation laws by establishing clear criminal consequences for the misuse of imaging technology on drones. Authorities intend for these penalties to deter the collection of unauthorized visual data within the kingdom.
New Oversight and Investigation Procedures
Accident and Aircraft Incident Investigation Office investigators now possess expanded authority to conduct inquiries into drone-related violations. Bahrain has established legal consequences for individuals who obstruct these personnel during their official duties. Interference with an active investigation carries a potential prison sentence ranging from six months to two years. Courts may also impose financial penalties for such obstruction, with fines set between BD1,000 and BD10,000.
Confidentiality regarding ongoing inquiries is now strictly regulated under the updated framework. Unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential investigation information constitutes a distinct offense. Individuals found responsible for leaking such data face fines ranging from BD500 to BD5,000. These provisions ensure that the Accident and Aircraft Incident Investigation Office maintains the integrity of its operational findings while conducting assessments of unauthorized unmanned aerial vehicle activity.