Appeals Court clears Bahraini employee in vehicle seizure case

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

A six-month prison sentence handed to a Bahraini employee for obstructing enforcement procedures has been overturned by the Second High Appeals Court, which acquitted him and instead imposed a BD500 fine on the company owner involved in the case.

The pair had been accused of deliberately preventing the seizure of a company-owned vehicle that was meant to be sold at auction, according to the employee’s lawyer, Reem Al Mahari.

Prosecutors alleged that the two men concealed one of the company’s cars from enforcement officers tasked with executing court rulings against the firm in 2024.

The Lower Criminal Court had found them guilty and sentenced each to six months in prison, setting bail at BD100 to suspend the punishment. Both defendants challenged the decision.

Evidence

In its ruling, the appeals court said the evidence presented against the employee gave rise to doubt.

The judges stated that after examining the case file and hearing the arguments, they were not satisfied that the man had taken any steps to hide the vehicle or help someone else to do so.

The incident began when a private bailiff moved to carry out seizure orders against a company owned by the Asian co-defendant.

Two cars were handed over at the company premises, while the location of a third was shared separately.

Vehicles

The bailiff managed to secure the two vehicles on site, but the third was missing.

The court found no clear link between the Bahraini employee and the missing vehicle. It ruled there was no proof he had concealed it or acted in collusion with the owner.

That gap in the prosecution’s case led the court to clear him of all charges.

Rule

The judges referred to the long-standing rule that doubt must be weighed in favour of the accused.

They added that the risk of convicting someone without firm grounds would do more harm than letting someone go free.

The earlier verdict was overturned, and the employee was acquitted. The company owner, however, remains liable for a BD500 fine.