Shrimp Poachers Jailed and Deported for Breaching Ban
Email :
A group of shrimpers who tried to flee from Coast Guard patrols during Bahrain's seasonal fishing ban have been jailed for 10 days, with five Indian nationals to be deported once their time is served.
They were caught using banned bottom trawl nets (known locally as Koofa) to haul in young shrimp during the closed season.
One of the seven men, who include two Bahrainis, was also fined BD50.
Confiscation
The Second Lower Criminal Court, sitting on Thursday, 27 March 2025, ordered the boats, nets, and catch to be confiscated.
The arrests followed two separate chases in March.
In the first, the Coast Guard spotted a boat carrying four Indian men suspected of fishing illegally.
Escape
As the patrol closed in, the men attempted to escape, steering straight into the officers' boat.
One fell overboard in the commotion but was pulled from the water. The others were caught shortly after.
Their boat had Koofa nets on board but no safety equipment.
In the second incident, another vessel was found with a Bahraini and an Indian national aboard.
Patrol
They also tried to outrun the patrol but were soon stopped. Inside the boat, officers found banned nets and 32.72 kilograms of undersized shrimp.
Prosecutors interviewed all seven men and laid out multiple charges.
Charges
These included fishing during the ban, using outlawed equipment, attempting to evade inspection, and heading to sea without life jackets, a fire extinguisher, or a first aid kit.
Licenses
They were also accused of taking boats out without licenses, switching off the tracking system, and sailing without lights.
Investigators said the four men in the first boat had acted in coordination with the Bahraini owner. All seven admitted to their actions.
They were held for a week while inquiries continued before being sent to court. The final ruling came at the end of March.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Insider
a day ago
- Gulf Insider
Eid Al Adha Tragedy: Indian Expat In Dubai Dies While Scuba Diving With Family On Jumeirah Beach
Tragedy struck an Indian expat family enjoying the Eid Al Adha holidays in Dubai as one of the family members allegedly died during a fun scuba diving session on Friday. The deceased has been identified as Issac Paul Olakkengil, a 29-year-old civil engineer. He reportedly suffered a heart attack after he could not breathe properly, according to his family. Pyarilos Davis, who is among the relatives helping the bereaved family with paper works, told Gulf News that Issac and his wife Reshma, along with Issac's younger brother Ivin, had gone to Jumeirah Beach for the scuba diving session. He said the incident took place when the trio were getting trained in a designated training area during the session. 'It seems they were getting trained for scuba diving, and apparently, he [Issac] couldn't breathe properly and moved away from the pack,' said Pyarilos.'So, everyone panicked and was impacted under water. I was told Reshma was rescued to the shore first, followed by the other two.' Issac was rushed to a hospital but could not be saved. Meanwhile, he said, Ivin also collapsed on reaching the hospital and is currently under observation. 'He is out of danger,' said Pyarilos. He said the family is cooperating with the police, who have seized the equipment used in the scuba diving session as part of their investigation into the case. 'We are working with the authorities to repatriate his mortal remains after we receive the necessary legal documents,' said Pyarilos. Ivin had not been informed about his only brother's passing till Saturday evening, he said. 'All of them are engineers. While Issac and Reshma are in Dubai, Ivin is based in Abu Dhabi. Ivin's friends just told me they are concerned about breaking this heart-wrenching news to him, as the brothers shared a strong bond,' said Pyarilos. Gulf News has reached out to Dubai Police for a comment.
Daily Tribune
a day ago
- Daily Tribune
Bengaluru Tragedy: Virat Kohli Accused of Inciting Crowd Through IPL Promotion
Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli has been named in a complaint filed in connection with the tragic stampede that occurred on June 4 outside Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, which claimed 11 lives and left dozens injured. The complaint, lodged by social activist HM Venkatesh at Cubbon Park Police Station, alleges that Kohli, a prominent player for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), played a role in promoting what the activist called 'gambling through the IPL,' contributing to the crowd surge that led to the tragedy. In his statement, Venkatesh accused Kohli of being 'the most prominent' in endorsing and popularizing the Indian Premier League (IPL), which he described as an event that 'has contaminated the game of cricket with gambling.' He further alleged that this promotion incited massive crowds to gather at the stadium, eventually leading to the fatal stampede. 'Virat Kohli of the Bangalore RCB team is the most prominent among those who participated in such gambling and incited people to gather in a specific place and caused this tragedy. Therefore, we request that Virat Kohli and his team members be made accused in the FIR of this tragedy and appropriate action be taken,' Venkatesh stated in the complaint. Police officials have confirmed that while the complaint has been received, no First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against Kohli or any other individual yet. According to sources quoted by ANI, the complaint will be examined within the scope of the ongoing investigation into the stampede. The tragic incident took place during a promotional event outside the stadium, drawing an unexpectedly large crowd. The resulting chaos led to a deadly stampede that has raised serious questions about event safety protocols and crowd control measures. As one of the most celebrated figures in Indian cricket, Kohli's inclusion in the complaint has sparked debate and divided public opinion. While some have called the allegations baseless, others argue that the influence of celebrity endorsements in high-stakes events like the IPL deserves closer scrutiny. Authorities continue to investigate the root causes of the stampede, with a focus on crowd management, promotional activities, and accountability. Meanwhile, families of the victims are demanding justice and stricter regulations for future large-scale public events.
Daily Tribune
2 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Fwd: Multiple Traffic Violations Caught on Camera
TDT | Manama Reckless behavior, viral videos, and urgent legal reform Bahrain takes bold steps to restore order on its roads A wave of dangerous driving incidents in Bahrain over just 48 hours has sparked national concern, prompting swift legal action and renewed calls for stricter traffic laws. The General Directorate of Traffic confirmed multiple arrests and investigations following a string of violations that were either caught on surveillance or went viral on social media. Wrong-Way Crashes On June 4, a 31-year-old man was arrested in Sanad after a social media video showed him recklessly driving the wrong way on National Charter Road. The stunt endangered countless drivers, but traffic authorities acted quickly to identify and detain him and legal action is underway. Just two days earlier, on June 2, a 29-year-old Bahraini driver was involved in a shocking accident on Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Highway, heading toward King Fahd Causeway, driving against traffic. The crash, captured on CCTV, showed the vehicle colliding with several others. The driver and several victims sustained serious injuries. Emergency teams responded swiftly, and legal steps were taken immediately. Car Door Incident on Janabiya Road Another widely shared video showed a passenger opening a car door while the vehicle was moving along Janabiya Road. The Traffic Directorate confirmed the car had Gulf plates and that the act was the result of a personal dispute inside the vehicle. The incident raised alarm about road safety, and legal procedures were promptly carried out. Red Light Violations In a separate case, two drivers—a truck driver and a private vehicle operator—were arrested after being caught on camera running a red light on Budaiya Road, recklessly risking the safety of other road users. Traffic authorities confirmed that both individuals were dealt with in accordance with the law. sds Saar Tragedy The heightened concern comes in the wake of a devastating tragedy last week in Saar, where a speeding car veered into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a Bahraini couple's vehicle. The couple, aged 40 and 36, tragically lost their lives, while their three children—ages 12, 9, and 7—suffered serious injuries and remain in hospital care. According to traffic authorities, the crash was caused by reckless driving and excessive speed. The incident shook the nation and pushed the government into immediate action. Cabinet Responds In a weekly session chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the Cabinet reviewed urgent legislative amendments to Bahrain's traffic laws. The proposed changes, presented by the Minister of Interior, include harsher penalties, increased fines, and stricter sentencing for violations that cause injury or death. The reforms also aim to address dangerous driving behaviors such as wrong-way driving, red light violations, and high-speed stunts—reinforcing the government's firm stance on protecting public safety. Several Members of Parliament are now advocating for mandatory dash cameras in all vehicles to deter reckless behavior and aid investigations. Meanwhile, the General Directorate of Traffic continues to emphasize that road safety is a shared responsibility, warning that reckless driving will be met with zero tolerance.
