A lawyer defending a man who has been accused of reckless driving that caused a car crash in which a couple and their child were killed has reportedly come under what has been described as ‘vicious attacks’ from members of the community.
According to the Bahrain Bar Society, personal attacks have been launched on Ahmed Touq on a number of private social media accounts.
The 40-year-old father, Ahmed Al Orrayedh, and his wife Fatema Al Qaidoom, aged 36, died in hospital due to their critical injuries, while their young seven-year-old son Abdulaziz succumbed to his wounds two weeks later, on June 13.
This comes following the attorney’s claims during a hearing on July 10 that the accident was fully out of his client’s control, claiming that the 29-year-old Bahraini defendant suffered from a seizure at the same time one of the tyres of his vehicle burst leading to the horrific accident.
Mr Al Orrayedh
He also claimed that his client suffered from a malignant brain tumour and that the children were not wearing a seatbelt.
In a statement released yesterday, the society defended Mr Touq and urged people to respect the integrity of the legal profession.
“Social media posts have contained vile ridicule and contempt for the lawyer and the legal profession simply for taking on the role of defending an accused in a high-profile case related to the horrific accident that claimed the lives of innocent people,” said the statement.
“These attacks stem from a clear and serious misunderstanding of the lawyer’s role in society.
“The legal profession is a humanitarian one, grounded in a set of principles and values that support the judiciary in achieving justice.
“It is indispensable and enshrined in the constitutions of all civilised nations, including Bahrain’s which states that every person accused of a felony shall have an attorney to defend him.
“Any trial without a lawyer is considered to be null and void, and cannot be legally recognised.”
The statement went on to explain that if a lawyer were to refuse to defend an accused, the trial could come to a halt and the defendant could potentially escape punishment.
The society clarified that a lawyer exercising his role was not meant to exonerate the accused, but rather ensure that the court in question was fully aware of all the facts of the case before rendering its judgement, be it a conviction or an acquittal.
The late Abdulaziz, left, with his surviving siblings Yousif, centre, and Aya, right
The society also stated that the judiciary relies on expert opinions, even when they contradict public sentiment, and called on people across the country to respect Bahrain’s Constitution.
“Lawyers should not be dragged before disciplinary councils for fulfilling their professional duties,” the statement said.
“A lawyer who fulfils his duty deserves nothing but thanks and appreciation from the public because he contributes to a fair trial.
“The Bahrain Bar Society understands the humanitarian motives that call for legitimate sympathy with the victims and their bereaved families.
“However, that should not become a means to insult anyone who are simply performing their duties as required by the laws of the kingdom.”
The tragic crash occurred on May 30 in Saar when the accused reportedly suddenly veered into the opposite lane and collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle in which a man, his wife and three children were travelling.
The survivors, 12-year-old Aya and nine-year-old Yousif, have been left disabled with severe injuries.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))