Bribes to Fast-Track Transactions: Employee, Businessman Face Trial

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Manama: The High Criminal Court has begun the trial of a public employee and an Arab businessman accused of involvement in a bribery scheme aimed at expediting official transactions. The court adjourned the case to January 12 to allow for review and responses, granting the defence access to copies of the case files.

The Public Prosecution charged the first defendant, in his capacity as a public employee, with requesting and accepting a bribe in return for carrying out acts he claimed fell within his job responsibilities. Prosecutors allege he sought BD 2,800, asserting that he had the authority to take measures to speed up procedures related to the businessman’s transactions.

The second defendant was charged with participating by agreement in the offence, after allegedly consenting to pay the requested sum in exchange for expediting the procedures. The prosecution said the crime was committed based on this agreement and the assistance provided.

According to case details, the first defendant had been transferred from one entity to another, with a different employee officially assigned to assume his former duties. However, investigations revealed that the defendant continued to handle certain transactions despite no longer having official responsibility for them.

During questioning, the first defendant admitted that after his transfer he remained in contact with the businessman, assisting with transactions and attempting to expedite them, including arranging payment of the required fees.

The second defendant, meanwhile, told investigators that the first defendant handled the transactions on his behalf and requested money to speed up their completion. He said he agreed to pay and transferred funds accordingly. Financial analysis reports confirmed the receipt of the sums, and records showed that the transactions were completed after the first defendant’s transfer, when he no longer held authority over them.