Recently, a photo of a person in handcuffs went viral on social media. Sharing the photo, users claimed that this is an Indian who was arrested in Bahrain suspected of being a spy. Sharing the photo on Instagram a user wrote, “Bahrain authorities have reportedly arrested an Indian telecom engineer accused of passing sensitive data to Israel’s Mossad, according to regional media reports”.
Instagram Link | Archived Link.
However, as we investigated, we came to know that the claim was false. Here’s the fact check.
Fact Check
We started our investigation by conducting a relevant keyword search. This led us to a few reports on the website of the Police Media Center, Bahrain. According to a report on the website, four individuals were arrested for espionage activities. The website mentioned that they identified a fifth who is at large. We didn’t find the photo of the person in the viral photo in the reports.
We searched on the Instagram handle of the MOI, Bahrain, but didn’t find the viral photo.
Moving forward, we found a tweet on the official X handle of the Ministry of External Affairs Fact Check refuting the viral claim. Sharing the viral photo MEA Fact Check tweeted, “Fake News Alert!
This is Fake News.
Please stay alert against such false and baseless claims on social media!”
PIB Fact Check refuted the claim as well.
This makes it clear that the claim is false.
Conclusion
From our investigation, we can say that the claim is false. As claimed no Indian spy, working for Mossad, was arrested in Bahrain.
Title: No Indian Spy, Working For Mossad, Has Been Arrested In Bahrain. The Viral Claim Is False.
Fact Check By: Debanjana baishya
Result: False
