Arrest warrant issued against chairman and treasurer of Bahrain Drag Racing Club for embezzlement

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The Public Prosecution has issued arrest warrants against the chairman and treasurer of the now-defunct Bahrain Drag Racing Club for alleged misappropriation of funds.

The Prosecution has also ordered their pre-trial detention pending further investigation following intervention by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Attorney General Dr Ali bin Fadhel Al-Buainin said multiple investigations are ongoing into the crimes committed by the suspects.

The anomaly in the transactions surfaced in an audit by National Audit Office into non-compliances within the Bahrain Drag Racing Club. The report accuses some of the board members of involvement in embezzling funds belonging to the club.

Based on this, the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS) First Deputy Chairman, General Sports Authority (GSA) Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) President His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa issued an edict dissolving Bahrain Drag Racing Club.

The Attorney General said he had directed for a swift investigation after a complaint filed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs.

Public Prosecution opened its investigation by hearing the financial auditor at the Oversight bureau, who spotted the violations and monetary losses.

Dr Ali bin Fadhel Al-Buainin said, “So far, I have heard seven witnesses about the practices of some members of the board of directors to whom these violations are attributed.”

“The Public Prosecution has also been authorized to view the bank accounts under an order from the competent judge.”

“The order removed the confidentiality of those accounts, allowing the prosecution to track the sources of the funds.”

“For this, the Public Prosecution has delegated one of the auditors from the Financial and Administrative Oversight Bureau to conduct a comprehensive examination of the work of the club’s board of directors.”

“They will look into the handling of the club’s accounts, transactions, spending on its activities, competitions and sources of funds received.”

The focus will also be on the contracts signed by the club with all parties to get a clear picture of the violations and embezzlement flagged by the Oversight Bureau.

The General Department for Combating Corruption and Economic and Electronic Security is also conducting a parallel investigation into the circumstances leading to the crimes.

Investigators are to question the club’s Chairman and treasurer regarding the allegations raised against them.

Dr Al Buainin said they are working intensively to complete its investigations into the allegations as soon as possible.