Decree-law empowers FINC to halt suspect transfers for 72 hours

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Parliament yesterday approved a decree-law that lets the Financial Intelligence National Centre (FINC) pause a suspected laundering transaction for up to 72 hours, while widening powers on confiscation and information-sharing under Bahrain’s anti-money laundering rules.

The change comes through Decree-Law No 36 of 2025, which amends Decree-Law No 4 of 2001 on the prohibition and combating of money laundering and terrorist financing.

The text also brings the financing of the proliferation of armaments within the scope of the law.

Scrutiny

Speaking in the chamber, MP Hassan Ebrahim linked the vote to external scrutiny of financial systems, saying: “Bahrain is not listed on any negative list, neither black nor grey”.

He said any adverse rating could bring heavier checks from abroad, raise the cost of transfers and funding, and affect investor confidence.

Ebrahim also pointed to how the Financial Action Task Force judges countries, telling MPs: “FATF does not stop at having texts on the books; it measures effectiveness and results on the ground”.

He said the law aims to meet both the legal test and how cases are handled in practice, including through the national risk assessment approach.

Tracing

Under the decree-law, FINC is named as the “executing unit” and is tasked with receiving suspicious transaction reports, carrying out financial tracing and analysis, supporting law enforcement with financial intelligence, and handling parts of cross-border cooperation.

Alongside the 72-hour stop or delay power on a suspicious transaction, FINC may also take the same step for up to 72 hours at the request of a foreign counterpart unit.