The fifth batch of stranded Bahrainis in Iran arrived yesterday (April 6, 2020) to Bahrain International Airport within the slow evacuation plan of the Bahraini authorities to evacuate Bahrainis stuck abroad.

Bahrainis voiced an urgent appeal via Twitter demanding the authorities in Manama to release political prisoners to save them from the risk of contracting the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Amid the global threat posed by COVID-19, Bahraini authorities should release human rights defenders, opposition activists, journalists and all others imprisoned solely for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and association, a coalition of 21 rights groups said.

People inside and outside Bahrain are reacting and speaking up about the case of Bahrainis stranded outside the kingdom, except for Bahraini Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullatif Al-Zayani, who preferred to remain silent since his appointment.

Transit through Bahrain International Airport is open again for international travelers, Manama-based Gulf Air said on Saturday, though entry to the country is limited to Bahrainis and other residents during the coronavirus pandemic.

A number of Shiite religious scholars in Bahrain issued a statement stressing on the "necessity to release prisoners of conscience in Bahrain before this virus invades the prison." They warned of the consequences of the authorities' disregard for the call launched by Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim to release political prisoners.

December 12, 2019 was the globally adopted date marking the discovery of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), which since has exhausted the world with its fast spreading and painful economic and humanitarian effects.

The Parliament will soon discuss a draft bill proposed by the government on the Youth Criminal Justice Act. One of the most prominent articles mentioned in the draft states that if the offence is punishable by death, it is reduced to temporary imprisonment or at least one-year prison term.

Al-Wefaq Deputy Secretary-General, Sheikh Hussein Al-Daihi, stressed on the importance of the call launched by Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim to release the political prisoners, in order to protect their souls in the light of the Coronavirus outbreak.

A group of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Jaw Central prison issued a statement expressing their support for the statement issued by Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim on Thursday (April 2, 2020) and appealed to the international community.

Human rights activist Ibtisam Al-Saegh revealed that one of the criminal prisoners in Jaw Central Prison attempted to hang himself after suffering from depression as a result of putting him in solitary confinement. She explained that this is the prisoner's second suicidal attempt this week.

Sayed Abdullah Al-Ghuraifi stressed on the necessity to expedite the return of stranded Bahrainis in Iran, hailing the government's efforts in fighting Coronavirus outbreak.

Statistics from the Health Ministry website revealed 29 new Coronavirus, bringing the number cases to 286.

Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim called for releasing political prisoners in Bahrain amid threats of COVID19 on their lives.

Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) called on the Bahraini authorities to immediately release prisoner Sadiq Marhoon (31 years), who suffers from psychological outbreaks after spending 11 years in prison, and to provide medical care for prisoners.

Activists said that 99 citizens have been evacuated from Iran among the fourth batch of Bahrainis stuck in Iran.

A number of Iranians and Bahrainis took part in the funeral procession of Haj Abdulnabi Abdullah on Wednesday (April 1, 2020) in the Iranian city of Mashhad, where his body was buried.

Civil Service Bureau (CSB) President, Ahmed Al-Zayed, announced allowing ministries, entities and government departments to increase the rate of distance work to 70% as a maximum.

Standard and Poor's Global Ratings revised its outlook on Batelco to stable from positive and affirmed its 'B+/B' long- and short-term issuer credit ratings.

Bahrain has paid back $1.25 billion in bonds that matured on March 31, the Ministry of Finance and National Economy said on Wednesday.