Court upholds one-year jail sentence for lawyer who fraudulently took BD14,000

The case began after the victim filed a complaint, stating through her lawyer Manar Al Tamimi, that she had verbally agreed with the defendant to represent her son in a criminal case. They agreed on legal fees of BD3,500, which she transferred to him.

Before the verdict, the lawyer allegedly requested BD8,000 for bail fees to help release her son. She transferred BD4,000 in two payments.

The lawyer later sent a WhatsApp voice message requesting another BD6,000, claiming he needed it to travel abroad for consultations and to prepare legal submissions. She transferred the amount in two payments.

The victim’s daughter told prosecutors she contacted the lawyer regarding the money her mother transferred. He admitted he had made a mistake and promised to return the money. During a meeting, he handed her three cheques totaling BD8,000, but she returned them, explaining the total paid to him was BD17,500.

The lawyer stated his legal fees were BD3,500, which had been deducted, leaving BD14,000 outstanding. However, he told her he did not have the money available.

Records of the defendant’s entry and exit movements showed he left Bahrain after the date scheduled for submitting his legal arguments, contrary to his claims.

Investigators also stated that the lawyer had similar cases involving the same method, leading prosecutors to charge him with obtaining the victim’s money through fraudulent means.