Asian Employee Denies Bribery Attempt at General Sports Authority

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com   

An Asian employee working for an engineering company contracted by the General Sports Authority (GSA) to provide staff has denied allegations of demanding a 30,000 Bahraini dinar bribe from a contractor working for the GSA.

The employee allegedly claimed he could secure a contract for the contractor in exchange for the bribe. The Lower Criminal Court has scheduled August 21st for closing arguments in the case.

The incident came to light after the Public Prosecution received a report from the General Directorate of Anti-Corruption and Economic & Electronic Security detailing a complaint filed by the GSA.

The complaint alleged that a GSA employee had demanded a 30,000 dinar bribe from a contractor.

The Financial Crimes and Money Laundering Prosecution investigated the matter, taking statements from GSA officials and witnesses.

They also translated audio recordings of conversations between the accused and the contractor. The recordings, along with witness testimonies, allegedly confirmed the employee's attempt to solicit the bribe.

Based on the evidence, the Public Prosecution issued an order to apprehend the employee. He was subsequently questioned and confronted with the evidence.

While he acknowledged the audio recordings, he denied the bribery accusation. The Public Prosecution ordered his detention pending further investigation and referred the case to the Small Criminal Court 3 on charges of bribery.

The case is expected to be heard in court on August 21st, where the employee will have the opportunity to present his defense.