Bahrain amended its 1976 penal code to carry a minimum one-year and maximum seven-year sentence, including a fine of up to US$26,000, for "publicly offending the king of Bahrain, its national flag or emblem," state news agency BNA reported.
The prison sentence could rise above seven years if the "offense was committed in the presence of the king," BNA added.
Prior to the law change, the same charges against the monarchy carried a minimum sentence of a few days.
Bahrain convicted and jailed two activists for one and four months, respectively, in 2012 for Twitter comments that supposedly insulted King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa. Social media comments are included in the new edict.
Comment: No news about this in the Western media, nor of the ruthless suppression that has been going on for over two years.
Bahrain is a key Western ally and home to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and United States Fifth Fleet.
Comment: Here is another key ally: Meet the U.S. allies - Saudi Arabia passes draconian, medieval laws to crush dissent