Bahraini Man Awaits Verdict in Alleged Motorcycle Arson, Claims Fire Was Accidental

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Manama: The First High Criminal Court has reserved its verdict until February 10 in the case of a 42-year-old Bahraini man accused of deliberately setting fire to his friend’s motorcycle, ordering that the defendant remain in custody until the ruling is issued.

During the hearing, defence lawyer Reem Al-Mahari called for her client’s acquittal, or alternatively for leniency, arguing that the prosecution failed to establish criminal intent in the charges of arson and vandalism. She maintained that the case file contained no conclusive evidence proving premeditation and described witness testimony as vague and uncorroborated.

Al-Mahari said one witness claimed to have seen a person set fire to the motorcycle but did not provide a description or clearly identify the defendant. She added that police and criminal investigation records did not reveal additional evidence supporting the charges, noting that this was consistent with her client’s denial throughout the investigation and trial.

The defence also referred to a Civil Defence report dated November 24, 2025, which stated that two motorcycles and a house wall were damaged by fire and smoke and suggested arson as a possible cause, but did not identify the perpetrator. She argued that this undermined the accusation against her client.

Al-Mahari further asserted that the elements of intentional arson and damage were not proven, stressing that the case relied solely on statements from the complainant and the victim, which she said were insufficient to establish guilt beyond doubt. She requested the minimum legally prescribed sentence under Articles 73 and 81 should the court reject the acquittal request.

The Public Prosecution charged the defendant with deliberately setting fire to his friend’s property in a manner that endangered lives and property. The accused denied the charges during earlier hearings, claiming the fire was accidental and caused by a cigarette spark while he was smoking.

According to testimony from the victim’s brother, he was awakened at dawn by neighbours and discovered that motorcycles belonging to his brother were on fire. Police and Civil Defence units later arrived at the scene. He told investigators that surveillance cameras were installed in the area, and footage allegedly showed the defendant sitting near the house before approaching the motorcycles and setting them ablaze.

A Bahraini woman also testified that at around 3 am, she saw the defendant wearing a hat and setting fire to motorcycles parked near a house on a side street, prompting her to report the incident to the police.

The victim testified that he later reviewed security camera footage, which showed the defendant approaching the area where the motorcycles were parked, after which a fire broke out, damaging the motorcycles and causing minor damage to the house wall.