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A MOTHER-OF-TWO, who was a victim of an acid attack allegedly carried out by her former husband’s nephew, has suffered ‘irreversible disfigurement’ as a result of the vicious assault against her, according to a report.
The 37-year-old Bahraini woman has been left with extensive chemical burns on her face, neck, arm and thighs, along with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after the horrifying incident.
According to the medical examiner’s report, the sulphuric acid attack resulted in a permanent disability, amounting to 60 per cent, taking into account both physical and psychological harm.
The defendant, who allegedly splashed acid on his uncle’s ex-wife for ‘revenge’ after targeting her in a mall car park, admitted to assault charges.
The Bahraini man told High Criminal Court judges that he ‘had been given pills’ before committing his cruel act, which was witnessed by the woman’s nine- and 11-year-old daughters and a female relative.
He also told judges that he has autism, while his lawyer claimed that the 28-year-old driver is mentally ill and suggestible, and had been influenced and encouraged by his uncle to attack his ex-wife.
Meanwhile, the uncle appeared before judges for the first time in the most recent court hearing, after being extradited to Bahrain from Kuwait, where he was a permanent resident.
In court, the 41-year-old defendant outright denied any relation to the attack, saying that it was all his nephew’s doing, and that he was in Kuwait on the day of the September incident.
However, police investigations have found that the nephew called his uncle both before and after the alleged attack, to inform him that the deed was done.
The attack also damaged the woman’s joints and left her with limited mobility in her wrist and two fingers.
Sulphuric acid is highly corrosive to human tissue, fabric and even metals and rocks, and any exposure to a concentrated version leads to severe chemical burns.
Heat from sulphuric acid’s interaction with carbohydrates produces heat, which can cause secondary thermal burns.
The GDN earlier reported that shortly before the assault, the victim had just parked her car. Her two daughters noticed a masked individual approaching and immediately alerted their mother.
Recognising the younger defendant, the woman began recording him on her phone in anticipation of a confrontation.
The suspect rushed towards her carrying a plastic container. He opened the lid and threw the liquid – which was later confirmed to be sulphuric acid – on her face and clothing.
The victim sustained severe burns as the assailant fled.
During the investigations, police recovered a mask and a cap from the scene, from which DNA samples were taken that matched the accused.
Security footage from the area played a key role in tracking down the first suspect who was apprehended shortly after the incident.
During interrogation, the driver admitted to the assault, claiming it was motivated by revenge, and alleged that the retired uncle had masterminded the attack.
Because the 28-year-old defendant’s lawyer claimed that his client was mentally ill, judges requested that the man undergo a psychological evaluation, and adjourned the hearing to December 30.
zainab@gdnmedia.bh
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