Seventy-two people have been stripped of their Bahraini citizenship for taking part in activities which have damaged the kingdom's vital interests and contravened the duty of loyalty to the country.

A senior Bahraini member of the Islamic State extremist group, Turki Al Binali, is among those on the citizenship blacklist, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

The 72 individuals had their nationalities revoked by Royal Decree, based on provisions of an article of Bahraini Citizenship Law, following a review by the Interior Minister and approval of the Cabinet, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

The decision is part of measures being taken to maintain national security and stability, stave off dangers and combat terrorism, it said.

The individuals blacklisted have been accused of illegal acts including spying for foreign countries and recruiting people through social media, financing groups carrying out terrorism operations, carrying out a series of blasts to disturb homeland security and terrorise citizens, smuggling weapons and joining terrorism cells to harm the interests of the kingdom and its stability. – TradeArabia News Service