"Terrifying Night" for Woman Held Hostage in Ex-Husband's Car for 6 Hours

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

The High Appeals Court has upheld a sentence of one year and six months in prison against a 50-year-old man for holding his ex-wife hostage in his car for six hours, a harrowing ordeal that left the woman traumatised. The man, who was identified only as a 52-year-old, had convinced his ex-wife to get into his car under the pretense of discussing their children. However, he then drove off with her against her will, using force and threats, turning a supposed conversation into a terrifying nightmare.

The woman, who was not named in the report, described the ordeal as "terrifying." She said that her ex-husband was agitated when he arrived at her home at 2 am. She agreed to get into the car with him, keeping the door open and her phone line open to her daughter, fearing he would drive off without her consent.

During the car ride, the man allegedly began shouting at her about her reasons for leaving the house and her personal life. He also yelled at her in front of their children outside the house. When he asked her to close the car door, she refused. However, he then sped off with the door still open, forcing her to put her foot in the door to prevent it from closing. He then grabbed her by her hijab and hair, pulling her into the car.

The man was carrying two knives in the car. He took one of the knives and used it to stab her on the back, causing her to fear for her life. She eventually managed to close the door and was held hostage for six hours as he drove around. Throughout the ordeal, she tried to escape, scream for help, and open the car door, but he threatened her with the knife and prevented her from doing so. Her daughter, who was on the phone with her, contacted the police. The man refused to answer the police calls and threatened his ex-wife with the knife.

The court found the man guilty of unlawful detention, assault, and possession of drugs for personal use. He was sentenced to one year in prison for unlawful detention, six months for assault and drug possession. He was also fined 100 Bahraini dinars.