Ex-Husband Denies Role in Acid Attack; 28-Year-Old Nephew's Mental State Questioned

TDT | Manama

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A 41-year-old man denied any involvement on Sunday in the trial for a brutal sulfuric acid attack on his 37-year-old ex-wife. His 28-year-old nephew, the alleged perpetrator, will be undergoing a psychiatric evaluation to assess his culpability. The victim sustained severe and permanent injuries in the attack, which took place in a shopping mall parking lot on September 13, 2024.  

The 41-year-old, who claims he was in Kuwait at the time of the incident, pleaded not guilty at his first court appearance on Sunday. Conversely, the nephew's lawyer stated that her client acted at the instigation of his uncle, seeking revenge against the ex-wife for reporting him to authorities, resulting in a prison sentence. 

The High Criminal Court decided to refer the first defendant, who claims to have autism and a psychiatric file, to a psychiatric evaluation to determine his accountability for his actions. This will be done before the next session on December 30, 2024. 

The victim had earlier testified that while in the mall parking lot with her daughters, they alerted her to a masked individual. When she approached to photograph him, believing it to be her ex-husband, the masked man – later identified as the nephew – threw a plastic container of liquid onto her, causing severe burns. Medical reports indicate the victim sustained a 60% permanent disability, including restricted movement in her left arm and fingers, and is now suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

A witness corroborated the victim's account, stating she saw a masked individual run towards the victim and throw the liquid before fleeing. A police officer detailed how security footage led to the identification of the nephew and the recovery of the mask used in the attack. 

 Further investigation revealed phone calls between the two defendants before and after the incident, with the nephew allegedly confessing to completing the "task" in a call to his uncle.

Forensic evidence, including DNA from the mask and hat, and chemical analysis of the victim's clothing, confirmed the presence of sulfuric acid. The nephew initially confessed to the attack, stating he acted on the instructions of his uncle to exact revenge after the victim reported him. He claims to suffer from autism and has a history of mental health issues.

The ex-husband, who was apprehended in Kuwait and extradited to Bahrain, maintains his innocence, claiming he was out of the country at the time of the attack.