Bahrain court issues warning to lawyer for skipping client’s trial

TDT | Manama   

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The High Criminal Court warned a lawyer who failed to appear for a murder trial, in which the lawyer was supposed to defend a client accused of killing his roommate and attacking six others with a knife. The court adjourned the hearing to the 24th of this month.

According to court files, the suspect killed one of his roommates and attacked six others who tried to restrain him and prevent him from committing suicide. A roommate’s rude behaviour caused the defendant, who was already in despair for falling victim to a job scandal, to lose his temper and commit the crime, case files say.

The defendant allegedly was offered a job in Bahrain by one of his friends from his hometown. He also paid BD1,600 to the guy, who said he could get a job just by signing a three-month contract. The defendant paid the money, only to get the shock of his life upon his arrival in the Kingdom.

He had to wait for hours at the airport before getting picked up by the company that offered him a three-year contract instead of the agreed three months. The company also demanded BD20 towards renting a place to live where the roommates were hostile.

Their rude behaviour, the court statement says, added more insult to the injury. On that day, he said. “I was thirsty and asked one of my roommates where I could get water. But, he shouted at me for no reason, and we got into a fight.”

“In a fit of rage, I took out a knife and stabbed him several times,” the defendant told prosecutors. Court files say the defendant also inflicted several knife wounds on himself in a bid to commit suicide but failed as other roommates intervened. Reportedly, the man also tried to attack them, but they managed to bring him under control.