Boozy expats ‘running riot’

Manama : West Eker residents usually spend their nights in fear, listening to yelling and merrymaking by some drunken expats in the area. Their resentment is growing day by day as many expats come out of their accommodation facilities at nights and drink in the open.

Many photos and video clips showing this drunken revelry of some expats are circulating on social media, but it seems authorities haven’t seen it.

“They come outside in groups and can party anywhere, in the yard, on the road or in open trucks,” said Abu Muntader Al Ekri, a resident of West Eker, who recorded a video clip showing many expats drinking in the open.

“What we are seeing is very bad. A drunken man is totally unaware of what he is doing. We are worried about the safety of our friends and family members, who could be assaulted by these drunken men one day,” said Mansoor Ali, another resident in the area.

“We live in Bahrain enjoying safety and security, and we are all equal, whether citizens or expats, but this phenomenon has made us worry about ourselves. Most often their numbers are large and a drunken group can do anything.”

Mohammed Ahmed who also lives in the area, said these expats were getting illegal liquor from someone. “Most of these bachelor expats work in nearby companies and factories.

In my knowledge, majority of them got no cars, which means someone is doing door-to-door alcohol delivery. Alcohol black market seems to be huge in this area.”

Abdul Hamid Al Najjar, MP representing the area, said that despite the Kingdom having tough laws to tackle such misbehaviour, the authorities aren’t doing enough. “We have laws in place to end public misconduct. All bodies concerned to enforce law must control the violators,” he said.

“Bahrain has a diverse society with high moral values. Both citizens and expats should not go against this. Alcohol is forbidden in our religion. Yes, the law allows it, but in very narrow terms. There are many draft laws by the parliament to prevent the sale of liquor since 2002 until now.”

The government, represented by the Ministry of Culture, banned the sale of alcohol in three-star hotels in 2014 for violating tourist legislations, allowing small-scale sale in four and five star hotels, in addition to a outlet located in Mina Salman. But illegal liquor trade is rampant across the Kingdom.

Bahrain’s laws criminalise the manufacture of alcohol locally, and criminalise trade through the black market. However, the law does not criminalise the use of alcohol in private places, but prohibits public dealing or trade.

According to attorney Faysal Al Jamaan, penalty for drinking in public is only BD50, while trading liquor in black market could invite six months’ imprisonment followed by deportation for expats.