Appeal cements LMRA official’s innocence

Manama

The acquittal of a high-ranking public servant accused in a bribery case was upheld.

The High Criminal Court had earlier given the accused clean chit, and the High Criminal Appeals Court supported his acquittal.

The head of Inspection Department in the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) was accused of demanding BD12,000 bribe from a restaurant owner to ignore violations.

He was reportedly nabbed after the Inspection Department of LMRA received a complaint from the owner's lawyer, accusing him of demanding bribe. 

The accused however, pleaded not guilty, and confirmed his innocence.

The High Criminal Court had earlier acquitted him, citing lack of evidence and procedural defect in his arrest.

"It doesn't harm justice if 100 criminals avoid punishment as much as arresting people without procedural legitimacy," the High Criminal Court verdict stated.

"Criminal issues are judged based on certainty and solid evidences, rather than speculations and assumptions.

The arrest warrant and the sting operation carried out to nab the accused was entirely without any legal support. And as the accused has constantly denied any wrongdoing, the court decided to drop the charges against him because it cannot rely on the provided proof to hold him guilty," the court added.