Monday’s ruling highlights the escalating crackdowns in the Gulf on perceived online dissent and the deepening cooperation among Gulf nations, fearing political challenges inspired by the Arab Spring.
Saudi Arabia led a Gulf military force in 2011 that helped Bahrain’s Sunni monarchy battle a Shiite-led uprising seeking a greater political voice.
Activist Nawaf al-Handel says the appeals court refused to lower the June 2012 sentence against Hamad al-Naqi.
Al-Naqi, a Shiite, claims his Twitter account was hacked.
Prosecutors say Al-Naqi insulted Islam’s Prophet Muhammad and the leaders of the two Gulf states.
