TWO Bahraini men, who are standing trial at the High Criminal Court for allegedly assaulting and mugging an expat, will learn their fates next month.
A 36-year-old from West Eker and a 22-year-old employee from Demistan reportedly approached the Pakistani victim at night and snatched his passport and cash after pushing him to the ground.
The victim suffered from minor injuries as a result of the fall.
After the incident, which occurred on April 21 this year, both the accused were placed in provisional detention while judges deliberated over the case.
According to court documents, the expat, who works as a labourer for a ceramics company, was in Hajiyat, where he resided, with the 22-year-old when a vehicle approached them.
“It was around 11.40pm and I was with the 22-year-old defendant,” he told the authorities.
“Suddenly, a small dark-coloured car approached us. It was driven by the 36-year-old.
“He stepped out of the vehicle and demanded to see my passport. I took it out from my pocket, with BD25 inside, along with my CPR.
“When he saw my passport, he immediately attempted to snatch it from my hand.
“I resisted, and he pushed me down after hitting me in the chest.
“While I was on the ground, he grabbed my passport with the money in it, then both of them got into the vehicle and fled the scene.”
After getting up from the ground and composing himself, the victim went to file a report at a nearby police station in East Riffa.
When questioned by the authorities, the victim admitted to knowing the 36-year-old defendant, but denied being acquainted with the 22-year-old prior to the incident.
They took down his witness statement, and an investigation was launched in a bid to identify the culprits and apprehend them.
Investigators visited the scene of the crime and looked for evidence and inspected footage from a nearby CCTV.
They were able to clearly see the 36-year-old driving towards the victim and the 22-year-old accused, step out of the vehicle, and shortly after, assault and mug the expat.
The footage also showed the two assailants escaping the scene of the crime the first chance they got, driving away while the victim was still on the ground.
After noting down the plate number of the vehicle, they were able to track down the make of the car, and eventually managed to identify the men following comprehensive investigations.
It was also revealed that the men reportedly stole the vehicle used to commit the crime and changed the licence plate number to cover their tracks.
Officers later showed the Pakistani victim photos of the two accused in order to ensure they were correctly identified, and the two were arrested shortly after. The victim’s belongings were returned to him.
They were interrogated by the authorities, and then referred to Public Prosecution for trial at the High Criminal Court, which started hearing the case yesterday.
The case has been adjourned until August 26 when the judges are expected to issue a verdict in the case.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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