National Security Agency (Bahrain)

Bahrain Intelligence Agency (BIA1)
جهاز الأمن الوطني
Agency overview
Formed8 May 2002 (2002-05-08)
Preceding agency
  • General Directorate for State Security Investigations
JurisdictionGovernment of Bahrain
HeadquartersDiwan Fort, Manama
26°13′22.47″N 50°34′33.8″E / 26.2229083°N 50.576056°E / 26.2229083; 50.576056
Agency executive
  • Talal bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of NSA

The National Security Agency (NSA) or Bahrain Intelligence Agency (BIA1) (Arabic: جهاز الأمن الوطني) is an investigative authority, and secret police agency, in Bahrain that is associated with but not formally part of the Ministry of the Interior. The NSA was formed after King Hamad issued Decree No. 14 of 2002 declaring it as the replacement of the General Directorate for State Security Investigations. The NSA was granted the power to make arrests by a 2008 royal decree, and lost this power in 2011, again by royal decree.