Man on trial for forging boat ownership papers, stealing friend’s vessel

TDT | Manama

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A 36-year-old man has gone on trial accused of forging a boat ownership form and making off with the vessel, which belonged to a friend.

The prosecution told the High Criminal Court that the defendant submitted a doctored form to the Small Ship Registration Office at the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, registering the boat in his name using false details.

He is said to have taken the vessel without the owner’s knowledge, later claiming he had sold it to settle a debt with the owner’s brother.

The accused denies the charges. He appeared in court with lawyer Basema Al Heddar, who asked for time to study the case papers. Proceedings were pushed to 27 May.

Fishing

According to the case file, the boat was originally bought in 2022 for the victim’s brother, who enjoyed fishing.

After a violation was recorded against the brother, the vessel was stored at the family’s farm, where the defendant was known to visit.

It vanished not long after.

The victim told investigators he learned the defendant had taken the boat under the pretence of cleaning and repairing it.

Money

When pressed to return it, the defendant reportedly admitted to selling it, saying he was owed money by the victim’s brother.

The prosecution says the accused forged the victim’s signature on the ownership transfer form.

A forensic report confirmed that the seller’s signature on the disputed form had been copied by someone trying to imitate the victim’s handwriting