Iranian Man Faces Trial Over Forged Documents and Pension Benefits

TDT | Manama

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High Criminal Court has begun the trial of a 72-year-old Iranian driver accused of forging official documents and using them to obtain government records and retirement benefits over several decades.

Prosecutors say the defendant falsified personal information, including his name, date of birth and legal status, to obtain official documents such as a birth certificate, identity records, driving licences and a work card. He is also accused of receiving pension and end-of-service benefits reserved for Bahraini nationals after being registered under the social insurance system from 1983 until his retirement in 2015.

Investigators said the accused entered Bahrain in 1979 on an Iranian passport before allegedly forging a Bahraini birth certificate to secure official documents and benefits. The Public Prosecution said the defendant admitted during questioning that he altered the birth certificate to obtain privileges available to Bahrainis. Authorities said social insurance contributions paid on his behalf totalled BD46,845.270, while he has continued receiving retirement pension payments since 2015. The court adjourned the case until July 21 to appoint a defence lawyer and ordered that the defendant remain in custody.