Arab News Headlines

Bahraini Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Citizenship Fraud


Manama, The Head of the Cybercrime Prosecution announced that the Public Prosecution received a report from the Anti-Economic Crimes Directorate concerning a Bahraini national who allegedly defrauded a woman residing outside Bahrain.

The defendant used social media to solicit individuals interested in obtaining Bahraini citizenship in exchange for money. The woman contacted him, and he falsely claimed he had the influence and ability to help her obtain Bahraini citizenship.

To support his claims, the defendant used pictures, conversations, and other means to convince the woman of the veracity of his statements. This culminated in him unjustly taking BD100,000 from the woman.

The Public Prosecution initiated its investigation by remotely hearing the victim’s statements. They issued an arrest warrant for the defendant, questioned him immediately upon his arrest, confronted him with technical evidence, and ordered his detention pending investigation.

The defendant’s mobile phone, used in the commission of th
e crime, was confiscated. Based on the evidence, the Public Prosecution referred the case to the Minor Criminal Court, which issued a three-year prison sentence, along with a BD5,000 fine, for the charges against the defendant. The verdict was delivered in the presence of the prosecution.

The Public Prosecution’s investigations in the above case coincided with the hearing of another case against the same person, who was in detention, for committing a similar incident. In this case, the defendant again claimed influence and authority to grant Bahraini citizenship in exchange for money, unlawfully receiving amounts totaling BD270,000. The court recently issued its judgment, sentencing the defendant to three years in prison and fining him BD1,000 for the charges.

The Chief Public Prosecutor stated that the Public Prosecution is determined to confront all fraudulent acts that undermine the process of obtaining Bahraini nationality, which is granted based on the rules and criteria of the law.

The Prosecutor not
ed that it was a crime to obtain Bahraini citizenship using false documents or incorrect information, which are subject to criminal penalties.

Source: Bahrain News Agency