The High Criminal Court sentenced a 34-year-old Bahraini man and his 34-year-old accomplice to three years in prison for kidnapping and robbery. These convictions follow an incident that occurred in July.
Details of the Kidnapping Incident
The victim, a Russian woman, was accompanied by her Bangladeshi boyfriend at the time of the incident. Both individuals were targeted by the defendants during the abduction.
The two men utilized a black GMC vehicle to carry out the kidnapping. They forced the couple into the transport before completing the robbery.
Victim Testimony and Defendant Claims
The High Criminal Court convicted the defendants on charges of robbery, assault, kidnapping, and holding the couple captive. During the proceedings, the 34-year-old Russian woman testified regarding her period of confinement, stating, "When I woke up, I realised I was in his house. I couldn’t run away since he was right next to me. I was worried he’d assault me again, so I stayed put. Eventually, the police arrived and arrested him."
The first defendant offered an explanation for his actions, claiming he had been in a romantic relationship with the victim for two years. "I was in a romantic relationship for two years. She disappeared a month ago and I couldn’t reach her so I met him so I’d be able to get to her. I beat her up hard. I was in a state of rage, I felt provoked … I don’t know why I did what I did. All I know is that I did it due to my intense love for her," he told the court.
Police investigations led to the capture of both men. Officers arrested the first defendant at his home in Hamad Town. The second defendant was apprehended after he placed a call to 999 when his car broke down in Ramli.
Representing the state, the Public Prosecution addressed the broader impact of these offenses, asserting, "Crimes like robbery have negative effects beyond the individual, affecting all of society. Such crimes threaten security and stability, and shake people’s trust in each other, leading to serious financial losses. They weaken economic activity and discourage people from investing or working in the country. They induce a state of perpetual anxiety in people, who begin fearing for their safety and the safety of their property. Theft is a poisoned dagger stabbing others’ effort and hard work, a fire that eats harvests. Theft is not simply a legal issue, but also an ethical and societal one."