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A GCC national is on trial at the High Criminal Court for allegedly assaulting a female officer at Bahrain International Airport.
The 36-year-old woman was arrested in the departure area after she reportedly refused to go through security screening and tried to head straight to the duty free zone.
She has been accused of assault, cursing at the officer and using hashish.
The incident took place on September 12 this year when the defendant showed up at the airport with only her mobile phone and passport.
In the departure area, she was asked by the 37-year-old Bahraini female officer to go through security, but she ignored the instruction, the officer testified.
Instead, the defendant allegedly attempted to go straight to the duty free area, with the officer chasing her.
The accused then began swearing at the officer and was being difficult, causing the officer to request assistance.
They ended up taking the defendant to the police office at the airport, where she continued to cause trouble.
When the officers tried to handcuff the woman, she hit the officer in the face, causing minor injuries.
The defendant also allegedly tried to escape multiple times, but was eventually brought under control and arrested.
According to a blood sample, the defendant had traces of hashish in her body at the time of the incident.
She was referred for psychiatric evaluation, which deemed her fit to be able to stand trial in court.
During the hearing yesterday, however, her lawyer questioned the evaluation itself, stating that the defendant was mentally ill to be held accountable for her actions.
“About a week before the incident, the victim went missing in Kuwait and called her parents and said she was in Thailand,” the lawyer told the judges.
“They tried to get her a ticket back to Kuwait, but instead she called them about a week later and said she was in Bahrain, and just wanted to go home as soon as possible.
“Her 77-year-old father ended up buying her a ticket, and she showed up at the airport with no luggage, just her phone and passport.
“Normally, she wears modest clothing, but at the time of the incident, she was wearing shorts, which she usually does not wear in public.
“She clearly suffers from mental illness, and is not responsible for her actions.
“Additionally, the traces of hashish are from Thailand, and have nothing to do with Bahrain.”
The lawyer also demanded a re-evaluation of her mental state, saying that she was not given enough time with the psychiatrist.
“She spent a total of three minutes with the doctor … in what world is that enough time to properly assess the mental state of a human being?
“We are asking for another thorough psychiatric evaluation of the defendant, and for the medical committee to look over it again.”
The case has been adjourned until December 30 for further deliberation.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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