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The trial of a woman, who went on a podcast and allegedly accused a top government official of predatory behaviour towards female job applicants, began yesterday.
At the Lower Criminal Court, the Bahraini defendant denied charges of disseminating false news to slander a civil servant and misusing social media platforms.
As an active poster on social media, she had stated in a viral clip that the influential official used his position and power to sexually exploit women who were seeking to be hired by him.
She reportedly claimed that one of the victims had reached out to her complaining about ‘abuse of power’ and ‘immoral and unethical acts’.
Yesterday, her lawyer asked the court to release the defendant on bail, due to various health issues she suffers from, but the judge did not grant her request.
According to the Public Prosecution, the so-called victim “denied what the video’s author had said, explaining that the incident she spoke about had never happened.
“In the beginning, the video’s author claimed that this story was conveyed to her by an anonymous girl,” the prosecution earlier said in a statement.
“But she later contradicted herself, and said that there was a woman currently employed at a public organisation who had gone through similar harassment.”
Prosecutors further alleged that the anonymous victim testified that the defendant “was motivated by her desire for vengeance”.
The trial was adjourned to November 11 for defence arguments.
zainab@gdnmedia.bh
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