Two ex-convicts are currently on trial at Bahrain's High Criminal Court facing charges related to abduction and theft. The defendants, who are both ex-convicts, are accused of abducting a car washer off the street and subsequently stealing BD500 from his wallet. The case is being heard at the High Criminal Court.
Victim's Account of Abduction
An expatriate car washer testified that he was abducted off the street by the two defendants, aged 46 and 32. The alleged victim, an expatriate worker, told the court that the incident began when the suspects approached him in a white car. "On the day of the incident, the defendants approached me in a white car and the passenger stepped out, claiming to be a police officer," the alleged victim stated in his testimony. This claim by one of the defendants was a key part of the victim's account of how the abduction began. He further recounted being forcibly taken, saying, "He grabbed my hand, dragged me towards the vehicle and forced me inside."
The victim reported that his phone was confiscated shortly after entering the vehicle. "Once the car started moving, they told me they were taking me to the police station and took my phone," he testified. Inside the moving car, the passenger allegedly demanded money. "The passenger then demanded the money I had on me and immediately reached into my trouser pocket, taking my wallet," the victim stated. He added, "He handed it to the driver, who removed the cash inside, amounting to BD500." The defendants later dropped the victim off in Hoora, returning his phone to him. "They later dropped me off in Hoora and returned my phone," the alleged victim concluded, detailing the end of the harrowing ordeal.
Police Investigation and Evidence
Police initiated an investigation after receiving a report from the victim. This report led to a full inquiry by law enforcement officials. Security camera footage of the July incident was subsequently obtained by investigators as part of their evidence collection. Footage recorded at 2:43 AM on July 25 showed the car washer standing outside an apartment building, providing a clear timestamp for the beginning of the incident. The defendants’ vehicle arrived two minutes later, and both men were seen forcing the complainant into the car, according to the footage. This visual evidence corroborated the victim's testimony regarding the abduction. The 32-year-old suspect was driving a vehicle registered in his mother’s name, a detail that aided in identifying the perpetrators. Investigators stated that both defendants admitted to the charges during the police inquiry, providing confessions that further strengthened the prosecution's case.
Court Proceedings and Adjournment
The court has adjourned the case until Tuesday to allow for the presentation of defence arguments. Both suspects involved in the abduction and theft case reportedly have previous criminal records, a factor that could influence the court's proceedings. During police questioning, the 46-year-old suspect allegedly stated that he committed the acts under the instructions of his 32-year-old co-defendant, suggesting a hierarchy in their criminal enterprise. The prosecution has presented a range of evidence, including security camera footage and the victim's testimony, as the trial continues. The adjournment provides an opportunity for the defence to counter the evidence presented by the prosecution and for the court to consider all aspects of the case before reaching a verdict.
