Latest news with #BD100
Daily Tribune
2 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Two distribution companies fined and closed, 23 jailed in expiry date scandal
Two food distribution companies have been fined and ordered to close, with prison sentences handed to their owners and staff, following one of Bahrain's largest commercial fraud trials involving falsified expiry dates. The Sixth Minor Criminal Court sentenced the owner of the first company to three years in prison and fined him BD100,000. The second was fined BD101,000. A senior employee received a three-year term, while 19 workers were each sentenced to two years. All foreign defendants are to be deported upon completing their sentences. Suspension Both companies were fined BD10,000 and ordered to suspend operations for six months. The court also ordered the destruction of expired and adulterated food products, along with the equipment, chemicals and materials used to alter the dates. The case revolved around large quantities of expired goods being reintroduced into the market with forged shelflife labels. Original dates were either removed or concealed beneath newly printed ones to give the appearance that the products remained safe to consume. Complaint The matter came to light when a worker filed a complaint at Khamis Police Station (A) in the Northern Governorate. Having recently arrived in Bahrain and taken a job at one of the company's warehouses, he reported that he was instructed to repackage expired food with forged expiry dates. He refused to participate, recorded video evidence of the practice, and submitted a formal report. Following the complaint, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce ordered the immediate closure of the warehouse and its affiliated shops. Prosecutors visited the premises the same day. On-site inspection A team from the Public Prosecution conducted an on-site inspection, questioned 29 individuals comprising owners, supervisors and workers, and ordered their detention pending investigation. The warehouse and all outlets belonging to the company were placed under judicial custody. Inspectors from the ministry carried out a full inventory. They seized over 14,000 expired food items, along with various chemical substances used to erase original markings. Counterfeit dates Additional products originating from the same company and bearing counterfeit dates were discovered on sale in local markets. A forensic specialist from the Criminal Evidence Directorate examined samples and confirmed the expiry dates had been falsified through removal and relabelling. Eyewitness statements and police investigations supported the findings. Judgements Once the investigation concluded and evidence was secured, the Public Prosecution referred the matter to court. Judgements were issued shortly thereafter. Counsellor Wael Rashid Buallay, Assistant Attorney General, called on all food sector operators to comply fully with Bahrain's legal and regulatory requirements. He stated that any endangerment of public health constitutes a criminal offence and will be dealt with through strict legal measures.
Gulf Insider
5 days ago
- Gulf Insider
Bahrain: Court Upholds Fines For Raising Over BD26,000 Without Licence
Two former leaders of a professional society have been found guilty of gathering more than BD26,000 without official permission, after the Court of Cassation upheld previous rulings. The court imposed a fine of BD100 each on the society's former chairwoman and the former financial secretary. Judges also ordered the BD26,062 raised illegally to be seized by the authorities. Prosecutors said the two defendants had breached fundraising regulations by collecting donations without securing the proper government authorisation. Collection PracticesThe incident surfaced after the Minister of Social Development alerted prosecutors that civil society monitors in his department had discovered unlawful collection practices. In her defence, the ex-chairwoman insisted she never personally handled the BD26,062. She maintained the funds were directly transferred to the bank account of an event management firm hired to organise a conference, under an agreement with her association. Hotel ExpensesFrom that sum, BD15,000 was reportedly spent settling hotel expenses, for which she provided invoices, with the remainder handed to the organising company. However, the courts remained unconvinced by these claims, concluding the funds had been improperly raised without the mandatory approval.
Daily Tribune
5 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Court Upholds Fines for Raising Over BD26,000 Without Licence
Two former leaders of a professional society have been found guilty of gathering more than BD26,000 without official permission, after the Court of Cassation upheld previous rulings. The court imposed a fine of BD100 each on the society's former chairwoman and the former financial secretary. Judges also ordered the BD26,062 raised illegally to be seized by the authorities. Prosecutors said the two defendants had breached fundraising regulations by collecting donations without securing the proper government authorisation. Collection Practices The incident surfaced after the Minister of Social Development alerted prosecutors that civil society monitors in his department had discovered unlawful collection practices. In her defence, the ex-chairwoman insisted she never personally handled the BD26,062. She maintained the funds were directly transferred to the bank account of an event management firm hired to organise a conference, under an agreement with her association. Hotel Expenses From that sum, BD15,000 was reportedly spent settling hotel expenses, for which she provided invoices, with the remainder handed to the organising company. However, the courts remained unconvinced by these claims, concluding the funds had been improperly raised without the mandatory approval.
Daily Tribune
6 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Appeals court to rule on boatman convicted over fatal sea crash that killed two Bahrainis
The High Criminal Appeals Court will deliver its verdict on July 31 in the case of a boatman convicted over a sea crash that killed two Bahraini men. The defendant was earlier sentenced by the Minor Criminal Court to seven months in jail, fined BD1,150, and had his boat and nets confiscated. Bail was set at BD100, suspending the prison term pending appeal. Two Asian crew members were also sentenced to 40 days in jail and ordered deported for illegal fishing and overstaying their visas. Prosecutors accused the main defendant of causing death by negligence while operating the vessel under the influence of Pregabalin, a controlled substance he was not authorised to possess. He was also charged with multiple safety violations, including lacking essential equipment such as life jackets, a fire extinguisher, and first aid supplies. His vessel was also missing navigation lights and a tracking device, increasing the risk of collision. The court originally sentenced him to six months for manslaughter and breaching marine safety regulations, and an additional month plus a BD100 fine for drug possession. He was also fined BD1,000 for illegal bottom trawling and vessel misidentification, and BD50 for missing safety equipment. The crew received one-month sentences for unlawful fishing and an additional 10 days for immigration violations. They face permanent deportation after serving their terms. The incident occurred near Al Mohammadiya Islet, where two boats collided. The boatman was later found towing the damaged vessel near Malkiya, with one victim's body on board. The second body was recovered near Budaiya port. Civil claims related to the incident have been referred to the civil courts.
Gulf Insider
15-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Appeal Against Jail Terms, Fines In 'Dirty Money'
Four defendants have lost their appeal against prison terms and fines in a money laundering case tied to human trafficking and prostitution earnings. Judges upheld a five-year sentence for each, along with a BD100,000 fine, and ordered the confiscation of BD175,557.882 from their assets. Three of them, identified as the first, third and fourth accused, will also be deported. The case unfolded following investigations by a First Lieutenant at the Financial Intelligence National Centre (FINC). Inquiries He told prosecutors that inquiries had been carried out using unnamed sources. The first accused, he said, ran a criminal ring trading in women, and the others played various parts in handling the proceeds. Cash made through these crimes was funnelled through different financial dealings, including overseas transfers made through local exchange houses. The amounts varied, and the transfers were spaced aim, according to the findings, was to cover the tracks. Accounts Authorities moved to examine accounts and property linked to the accused. Letters were sent to several government bodies. The data pointed to regular use of exchange houses, currency swaps and remittances, enough, the court ruled, to uphold the convictions. Also read: Qatar To Compensate Citizens For Damage Caused By Missile Debris
