Bahraini Lawyer Awaits Verdict in Forgery Case; Ruling Due February 11

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

A Bahraini lawyer accused of forging a court ruling to facilitate a property transfer will learn his fate on February 11. The High Criminal Court announced on Monday that it will issue its ruling on that date.

The 41-year-old lawyer appeared in court last week, pleading not guilty to charges of forging a civil court ruling to transfer property ownership from two individuals to a real estate company.

The Public Prosecution alleges that the lawyer fabricated a High Civil Court ruling, dated October 21, 2024, to facilitate the transfer. The prosecution claims the lawyer created a false ruling, mimicking genuine rulings, and used it to deceive the real estate company and the property owners.

A key witness, the head of legal affairs at the Ministry of Justice, testified that the forged ruling, intended to legitimise a preliminary sale agreement, was submitted to the Land Registry. However, the Ministry of Justice quickly determined the ruling to be fraudulent, citing inconsistencies in the court's composition and discrepancies in case numbers and dates. The dates on the forged document itself were also found to be fabricated. The Director of Court Administration corroborated this testimony.

During the investigation, the lawyer admitted to sending the forged ruling after reviewing it, acknowledging its falsity. He stated that he used the computer of another lawyer – whose name appeared on the forged document – to file the case. The other lawyer, who claimed limited involvement, stated that chat logs clearly show the defendant transmitted the forged ruling.

A witness from the real estate company confirmed the defendant's sole responsibility for pursuing the case and informing them of the supposedly favorable ruling.

A representative of the property owners also testified to receiving the forged ruling. The prosecution further presented evidence of the defendant's prior conviction for forging a private document.