Bahrain, US sign pact to fight transnational crimes

MoU focuses on combating terrorism, cybercrimes, money laundering

Bahrain and the US have signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation in combating transnational crimes.

Bahraini ambassador to the US Shaikh Abdullah Bin Rashid Al Khalifa and New York City Police Commissioner James O’Neill signed the memorandum of understanding that includes the development of cooperation in the field of crime prevention in general, and international terrorism in particular.

The accord covers countering all forms of supporting, funding and inciting terrorism, combating human trafficking, illicit trafficking in drugs, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances as well as maritime fraud. The MoU also covers cyber and economic crimes, in addition to money-laundering crimes.

In a statement, Shaikh Abdullah stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between the two countries in all fields, achieving cooperation in the security fields and contributing to combating crimes in all their forms.

The ambassador explained that the signing of the MoU contributed to enhancing coordination in addressing threats to security.

In a report released in July, the US State Department said that Bahrain “plays a key role in regional security architecture and is a vital US partner in defence initiatives.”

Bahrain hosts the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet and participates in US-led military coalitions, including the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh.