Drug conviction costs public servant his job

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Drugs have ended a public servant’s career, after judges upheld his dismissal and found that his conviction made him unfit for public service.

The man, who had worked for just nine months before being suspended, was found guilty of possessing and using narcotics.

A criminal court sentenced him to six months in prison and fined him BD500.

That sentence was later exchanged for community service, but the conviction stood, and he did not appeal.

His attempt to return to his job was thrown out by the High Administrative Court, which ruled that his actions fell into the category of offences that strip a person of the trust required for public work.

The court described the offence as one that reveals poor judgement, weak character, and a failure to control personal urges.

The former employee claimed in his lawsuit that he was suspended without reason or pay, and only learnt months later that he had been dismissed.

He argued the move was unlawful and asked to be reinstated, with all unpaid wages backdated.

Formal notice

But the court heard that his employer had received formal notice from the Public Prosecution confirming the criminal ruling, as well as evidence that the man had served his community sentence and paid the fine.

The Board of Trustees of the government body reviewed the details of the case and decided his continued presence was no longer acceptable.

Their decision was later approved by both the chairman of the board and the head of the Civil Service Bureau.

The court backed their reasoning, noting that the man’s conduct, given the nature of the role, would undermine the values expected of those in public posts.