Court to Rule in Juffair Gold Heist

The Fourth Lower Criminal Court has set May 14 to deliver its verdict in the case of eight defendants accused of stealing gold bars, Rolex watches and other valuables worth more than BD800,000 from a house in Juffair.

During the hearing, defence lawyers representing the accused requested their clients' acquittal, arguing there was insufficient evidence linking them to the crime.

Lawyer Reem Al Mahari, representing the fifth defendant, said her client had no knowledge that a watch found in his possession was stolen, claiming he received it from a friend for safekeeping. She added that he cooperated fully with police once informed about the investigation.

According to court files, the theft was discovered after the homeowner returned to his residence on March 6 and found a steel safe broken into. The stolen items included 22 Rolex watches, around 1.5 kilograms of gold and nine gold bars.

Police investigations, including a review of surveillance footage, led authorities to identify a vehicle seen near the property on March 2. One suspect later admitted receiving a stolen watch and implicated others allegedly involved in the burglary, helping investigators identify the remaining defendants.