Abduction of Bahrainis: Trial put off to Jan. 31

The High Criminal Court has adjourned the trial of three Bahraini men accused of kidnapping two fellow countrymen until January 31 to hear the victims’ witnesses. The men, aged 27, 29 and 40, reportedly abducted the duo following an argument over an illegal drug trade deal, according to court files.  

One of the kidnapped men allegedly pocketed BD2,200 paid by an accused, who was planning to buy a large quantity of hashish from him.  He allegedly procrastinated the delivery of the drugs to him, prompting the trio to abduct him with his friend, who was with him at the time of abduction. The two men were kept in a stable in Sanad for one night, where they had been reportedly menaced by a surly dog. 

“They told me if I wanted to go home I had to contact one of my relatives to make arrangements to hand them over the money,” the man involved in the drug deal told prosecutors. “I contacted my brother, and they asked him to meet them near Sitra Mall to give the money.” 

It’s said that his brother reported the kidnap to the police, who planned to arrest the alleged captors while receiving the money. However, the trio didn’t turn up as they felt that they were being surveyed by the police.

They were eventually nabbed after the captives were released. According to court files, from the information provided by the victims, the police arrested them.