Bahraini accused of torching friend’s motorcycles faces fate

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

A 42-year-old Bahraini man accused of setting fire to his friend’s motorcycles will be sentenced, or cleared, on 10 February after the High Criminal Court held the case for judgment and kept him in custody.

Prosecutors say he lit a fire in moveable property owned by a friend in a way that could have put people and property at risk.

The defendant denies it. He has told the court the blaze started by accident while he was smoking a cigarette.

Intent

His lawyer, Reem Al Mahhari, asked the court to acquit him, arguing that intent had not been proven and that the file contained no sure proof that her client meant to start a fire or cause damage.

As a fallback, she asked the court to show mercy and, if it convicts, to impose the lowest penalty allowed under Articles 73 and 81.

Al Mahhari pointed to a Civil Defence report dated 24 November 2025, which said two motorcycles and part of a house wall were damaged by fire and smoke.

The report suggested the blaze was likely started by someone, but did not name that person, which the defence said leaves the charge unproven.

Accounts

She also challenged the witness accounts, telling the court that one witness spoke of seeing a person set the motorcycles alight outside the home but did not give a description or identify the accused.

She said police enquiries, as recorded in the case papers, did not produce extra information that supports the allegation, and that her client has denied the charge throughout questioning and in court.

The prosecution’s case centres on CCTV footage and witness statements.