Religious leader and wife await verdict for illegal fundraising

TDT | Manama

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A prominent religious leader and his wife, a school teacher, are awaiting a verdict on October 10th in a case involving unlicensed fundraising. The religious leader is charged with collecting funds without the necessary permits, while his wife faces charges of failing to declare a significant sum of money and aiding and abetting her husband in the fundraising activity.

The charges stem from an incident where the wife was apprehended at the King Fahd Causeway carrying over BD20,000. The prosecution alleges that the religious leader solicited funds without authorisation. His wife, a Gulf national, is accused of failing to declare 200,000 Saudi Riyals and $2,600 found in her possession. The prosecution further claims she collaborated with her husband in the unlicensed fundraising.

Acquittal

During yesterday’s court hearing, the couple’s lawyer pleaded for their acquittal. As a contingency, he requested leniency for the wife and the lifting of a travel ban imposed on the religious leader. The incident unfolded on June 22nd when the wife was stopped at the King Fahd Causeway.

Customs officials asked if she had anything to declare, a question she answered in the negative. She was not explicitly asked about undeclared funds. Search A subsequent search by female police officers revealed the 200,000 Saudi Riyals, after which the wife voluntarily handed over the $2,600.

The lawyer argued that his client, the religious leader, operates a religious channel broadcasting sermons and programmes. He stated that a Gulf national contacted the religious leader, expressing admiration and offering financial support, which was delivered in installments to the wife due to her employment in the Gulf state.

Contact information

The lawyer provided the authorities with the contact information of the individual who provided the funds. He also emphasised that his client, the wife, is a school teacher earning over BD1,500 and a businesswoman with multiple ventures, generating an income exceeding one million riyals.

He maintained that his clients did not solicit funds from individuals. The case is now awaiting the court’s decision.