THREE teenagers who had been jailed for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old have been acquitted due to lack of evidence.
They allegedly ganged up against their Bahraini neighbour before taking turns to abuse him in Manama in July.
The victim claimed that the defendants held him at knife-point before stripping him naked at an abandoned building.
The teenagers were found guilty of abuse and jailed for 12 months by the High Restorative Court for Children last month.
However, Defence lawyer Deena Al Qumaish lodged an appeal against their convictions at the Supreme Criminal Appeals Court, which overturned the verdict yesterday.
“The defendants have been acquitted owing to lack of evidence against them,” read the appeal ruling.
“In addition, the victim gave contradictory statements and there are no witnesses to the crime.”
Ms Qumaish claimed that the victim’s parents had filed a false complaint against the defendants following a personal dispute with their parents.
A final appeal may be lodged against the acquittal by prosecutors at the Cassation Court.
The GDN previously reported that this was the first case to be heard at the High Restorative Court for Children in August.
The court deals with crimes committed by children aged under 18.
The new child courts will ensure swift justice and provide psychological assistance to the children and protect their interest in all rulings or procedures.
Previous sentencing before the establishment of the child courts of those aged under 18 will now be reviewed by a special committee.
&uuid=(email))