Bahraini Accountant Accused of Embezzling Over BD 54,000 from Gulf Aviation Academy

TDT | Manama     

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The High Criminal Court has adjourned the case of a Bahraini man accused of embezzling over BD 54,000 from the Gulf Aviation Academy. The court has scheduled the case for July 8th for closing arguments and has released a copy of the forensic accountant's report.

The forensic accountant, appointed by the court, found that between January 2021 and April 2022, a total of BD 52,714.811 was missing from the academy's bank accounts. This amount was not deposited into the bank according to the academy's records.

The report also revealed that some balances were deleted from the accounting system, and alternative balances were created to replace the deleted ones. Additionally, some balances had their dates altered, and a value-added tax entry recorded on March 31, 2022, was deleted.

The Public Prosecution received a complaint from the General Directorate of Combating Corruption, Economic and Cyber Security, based on a complaint filed by the Gulf Aviation Academy.

The academy had reported suspicions of criminal activity by an employee (the defendant) during the course of his work. The complaint alleged that the employee had embezzled trainee funds collected for the academy.

The Public Prosecution initiated an investigation, interviewing witnesses including academy officials and experts, reviewing documents and technical reports, and questioning the preparers of these reports.

The investigation confirmed that the defendant had embezzled BD 54,000 from trainee funds collected for the academy. He also altered data and information in the academy's electronic system to conceal his crime and erase evidence.

The court will hear closing arguments on July 8th, after which a verdict is expected.