VIRTUAL courtrooms could soon be introduced in Bahrain as a precautionary measure to combat the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
MPs fast-tracked amendments to the 2002 Criminal Procedures Law following an urgent agreement with Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa who was present during Parliament’s weekly session yesterday.
However, MP Fadhel Al Sawad, who has a degree in criminal law, said the amendments were forwarded to MPs at midnight and they didn’t have time to review them.
He added that some of the changes would constitute human rights violations.
The amendments would enable the Public Prosecution to record investigations in person, or video conferencing or calls and present them in court.
Courts would also be able to have live feeds with suspects during hearings unless physical attendance is demanded by the judge.
All court dealings would be done electronically including summons, signatures, documents, recordings or any other material related to the case that could be uploaded.
The court would have the right to reduce the number of witnesses should it think it necessary.
The Public Prosecution would also be able to launch a witness protection programme that would enable it to change addresses, IDs and provide protection and shelter to witnesses.
In the event of a serious accusation, the Public Prosecution would have the right to ban the accused from travelling until the case is settled.
For felonies that don’t involve a jail term, the Public Prosecution could impose a fine of up to BD2,000 in addition to legal charges.
The financial verdict should be contested within seven days, while jail terms of less than six months could be replaced with a fine.
For court verdicts in absentia, an arrest warrant could be ordered for those sentenced for a month in jail or more through a request by the Public Prosecution.
Parliament foreign affairs, defence and national security committee chairman Mohammed Al Sissi said the amendments needed to be fast-tracked to avoid less crowding in courts in light of the current circumstances regarding coronavirus.
The Shura Council is also scheduled to vote on the issue on Sunday.
“Courts have to go virtual and we have been informed that everything is ready so we fast-tracked the law especially with us looking to have fewer cases done in person,” he said.
“Within a few days, everything will go online as majority of the cases relate to the use of technology.
Shaikh Khalid assured MPs that the amendments would help address current problems while opening new doors in future.
Separately, MPs voted to insist on their decision to restrict expat ownership of property under the 2001 Non-Bahrainis Properties and Plots Ownership Law after it was rejected by the Shura Council last month, and returned it back to the upper chamber.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
&uuid=(email))