Bahrain court clears store employee of molestation charges

TDT | Manama                                                       

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The High Criminal Court of Bahrain has acquitted an employee accused of sexual harassment against a customer at a medical equipment store.

The court’s decision stemmed from a careful evaluation of the evidence, where inconsistencies in the victim’s statements and a lack of corroborating proof ultimately cast doubt on the accusation.

The employee, facing charges of inappropriate touching during the fitting of a medical corset, vehemently denied the allegations. Two witnesses testified that they did not observe any unusual behaviour or distress from the customer.

Secondly, security footage captured the complainant, who left the store calmly with no indication of any trauma.

Inconsistencies

The most compelling argument focused on the inconsistencies in the victim’s statements. The defence lawyer meticulously highlighted discrepancies between the initial complaint and testimonies given during the investigation, raising serious questions about the narrative’s veracity.

Further compounding the doubts, the lawyer emphasized the complete absence of concrete evidence. No physical proof or witness accounts solidified the accusation, weakening the prosecution’s case significantly.

Thus, the High Criminal Court, upholding the principle of “innocent until proven guilty,” ruled in favour of the employee. Their decision underscores the judicial system’s commitment to fair and impartial trials, where accusations alone are insufficient for conviction.