TWO men are standing trial for allegedly robbing three expatriates near the Central Market and at a main Manama bus hub.
The Pakistani labourers appeared at the High Criminal Court, where they denied charges of committing theft by force, along with an unidentified suspect.
The men, aged 20 and 21, allegedly assaulted and kicked a Bangladeshi free-visa worker and two Nepalese restaurant employees in an attempt to steal their valuables.
“I was walking to the Central Market when I felt someone pull me by my shirt from behind, and I turned around to notice three individuals,” a 37-year-old Bangladeshi told prosecutors.
“They started attacking me with their hands and feet, and then the second defendant grabbed my hand and twisted it, while the first stole my phone from my pocket.
“They continued assaulting me until they noticed several people heading in our direction.”
Two Nepalese men who reached the scene of the assault tried to calm the situation. According to testimonies, they did not know that they were soon going to fall victim to the same men whom they tried to stop.
“My friend and I were going to the central bus terminal when we saw a man being hit by a number of people,” one of the Nepalese men told the Public Prosecution.
“We tried to intervene but the men stopped us and left the place. We were, however, surprised when they started following us.
“The first defendant asked for my CPR card, I was scared, so I pulled out my whole wallet and he took BD20 from it,” he added.
The second Nepalese man corroborated this testimony, adding that one of the defendants slapped him on the face, while his compatriot was being kicked on the ground.
“I gave them my necklace and headphones,” he said.
A medical report confirmed the injuries that the Bangladeshi claimed to have sustained in the attack.
Judges adjourned the hearing to Tuesday for defence arguments.
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