Woman attacks cop and sets café chair on fire

TDT | Manama

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A medical committee has determined that a 43-yearold Asian woman is fully responsible for the assault of a police officer and the arson of a chair at a café in Al Qudaibiya on November 19, 2023.

This ruling sets the stage for final arguments in the appeal hearing scheduled for October 7th in the High Appeals Court.

The woman, who was previously sentenced to one year in prison and deportation by the First Instance Court, maintains that her actions were a matter of self-defence. While she denies assaulting the officer, she admits to setting the chair on fire.

According to the prosecution, the defendant assaulted a female police officer on duty, resulting in minor injuries that required less than 20 days of recovery. She faces charges of assault, arson, and endangering lives and property.

Police were called to the café after reports of a woman exhibiting erratic behaviour and attempting self-harm.

Upon arrival, officers found her barricading the doors with chairs, holding a knife to her throat, and with a chair in flames.

The female officer, who was attempting to de-escalate the situation and document the scene, was punched in the face and struck again while trying to retrieve her glasses, resulting in injuries to her hands. The woman also threatened suicide while resisting arrest.

The upcoming appeal hearing will provide both the prosecution and the defence an opportunity to present their final arguments.

The medical committee’s finding of the woman’s full responsibility could have significant implications for her defence strategy moving forward.