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Daily Tribune
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Showcases Progressive Justice Reform at International Conference on Alternative Sanctions
TDT | Manama The Kingdom of Bahrain recently hosted the first International Conference on Alternative Sanctions, drawing ministers, diplomats, and justice officials from around the world to discuss the nation's pioneering approach to criminal justice reform. The event highlighted Bahrain's commitment to rehabilitation, social reintegration, and innovative sentencing alternatives beyond traditional custodial penalties. Dr. Ali bin Fadhel Al-Buainain, Attorney General of Bahrain's Public Prosecution Office, underscored the collaborative nature of the system involving the Ministry of Interior (MOI) and the Supreme Council for Justice. 'By integrating alternative sanctions, we facilitate family reunifications and empower beneficiaries, many of whom have successfully launched their own businesses after completing the programs.' he said. Reflecting on Bahrain's legislative journey, Nawaf bin Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Maawda, Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs, and Endowments, traced the roots of the reform back eight years. 'Since 2020, legislative advances have expanded the law's scope, opening greater opportunities for beneficiaries,' he said. 'By 2025, we aim to broaden the system further to not only provide work but also emphasize rehabilitation. Our sanctions now encompass seven to nine distinct types, carefully tailored to achieve the core goals of reintegration and social support.' Shaikh Khalid bin Rashid bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa, General Director of Sentence Enforcement and Alternative Sanctions at the MOI, described the transformation as a societal journey. 'Initially, there was resistance even within our own ranks,' he admitted. 'Through awareness campaigns and rigorous training, society's acceptance grew. Our digital classification programs and psychological support initiatives now underpin a success rate of 97.5%, with over 8,500 beneficiaries reintegrated and 273 currently in open prisons.' Highlighting Bahrain's leadership role in the region, Alastair Long, UK Ambassador to Bahrain, praised the Kingdom's justice reform as 'a model of compassion and human dignity.' He recalled a poignant moment at a recent graduation ceremony when a beneficiary, overwhelmed with emotion, expressed gratitude for a second chance, an experience met with genuine empathy by Bahraini officials. Ambassador Long emphasized the strong UK-Bahrain collaboration in capacity building, including study visits to UK open prisons and academic partnerships, fostering shared expertise in rehabilitation and community-based sentencing. Steven C. Bondy, U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain, echoed similar sentiments, applauding Bahrain's progressive alternative sentencing law and open prison programs as transformative. He highlighted the robust partnership between the two countries across counterterrorism, cybersecurity, judicial affairs, and law enforcement. 'The United States is committed to supporting Bahrain's justice reforms, which have positioned the Kingdom as a regional and global leader,' Ambassador Bondy said. He also cited the recent historic visit of the U.S. Secretary for Homeland Security and the signing of the Congreventive Security Integration Prosperity Agreement (SIA) in 2023 as milestones deepening cooperation. The conference underscored how Bahrain's reform efforts blend tradition and innovation, reflecting local values while meeting international standards. The American Bar Association and the American Correctional Association have both recognized Bahrain's strides in correctional practices, and ongoing international visitor leadership programs are further fostering exchange and learning. Ambassador Bondy stressed the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration—including ministries, the private sector, and civil society—in supporting social services and employment opportunities for beneficiaries. 'These reforms are not just about reducing recidivism; they represent a broader societal commitment to dignity, opportunity, and second chances,' he noted.
Arab Times
29-04-2025
- Arab Times
Kuwaiti Man Breaks Delivery Worker's Hand, Smashes Police Officer with Ashtray
KUWAIT CITY, April 29: A Kuwaiti citizen is facing two felony charges and one misdemeanor after allegedly assaulting a food delivery worker and later attacking a police officer inside a police station. The incident reportedly began when the man placed a food order from a local restaurant to his residence in Mubarak Al-Kabeer. Upon delivery, a dispute broke out over the contents of the order. The argument escalated, and the citizen allegedly assaulted the deliveryman, resulting in a broken hand. The injured worker later went to the local police station to file a complaint, presenting a medical report that confirmed the fracture. The suspect was subsequently summoned for questioning. During the interrogation, the situation took a violent turn. The suspect is accused of grabbing a cigarette ashtray from the desk and striking one of the officers on the head, causing a significant injury that required hospital treatment and stitches. Police officers managed to restrain the suspect, who was then taken into custody. The assaulted officer was transferred to the hospital for medical care. As a result, authorities have filed two felony cases against the suspect — one for assault and causing serious bodily harm to the delivery worker, and another for assaulting a public official. A misdemeanor charge has also been filed in connection with the attack on the police officer. The case has been referred to the Public Prosecution Office for further legal action.
Shafaq News
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraqi MP sues Syrian president: Al-Sharaa is a terrorist
Shafaq News/ A legal complaint has been filed with Iraq's Public Prosecution Office against Syria's transitional president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, Iraqi MP Alaa al-Haidari announced on Tuesday. In a video statement, al-Haidari said, "I have filed a complaint against the terrorist 'al-Jolani' [al-Sharaa,] and we are filing as personal plaintiffs on behalf of martyrs Imad al-Haidari and Abu Tahseen al-Salhi for their roles in the battles [against ISIS]." Al-Salhi, nicknamed 'Sheikh of Snipers,' was a Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) sniper credited with eliminating hundreds of ISIS militants during key liberation battles. Al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, was imprisoned in Iraq before being released just days ahead of the Syrian uprising. His invitation to the Arab League summit in Baghdad sparked widespread criticism across political and public circles.
Arab Times
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
Domestic violence cases in Kuwait soar to over 9,100 in five years, raising alarm
KUWAIT CITY, April 29: A recent official report has raised serious concerns over the rising number of domestic violence cases in Kuwait over the past five years, highlighting a growing issue within the country's social fabric. According to data released by the Ministry of Justice's Information Technology and Statistics Sector, a total of 9,107 domestic violence cases were registered with the Public Prosecution Office between 2020 and March 31, 2025. Figures obtained revealed that 11,051 individuals were accused in these cases, including 7,850 males and 3,201 females. The report also noted that 4,057 cases were referred to court, while 3,992 were closed. Judgments were issued in 3,497 cases. The number of victims involved reached 9,543, comprising 5,609 females and 3,934 males, further underscoring the gendered impact of domestic violence in the country. According to judicial outcomes, 2,639 cases ended in convictions, while 885 resulted in acquittals, representing a conviction rate of approximately 75%. A government source stated that the rate of domestic violence cases had doubled over the past two years, with an increase of 100%, prompting urgent calls for legal reform. The source pointed to the government's growing commitment to confronting domestic violence, particularly through amendments to existing legislation aimed at protecting women in all roles—as wives, daughters, sisters, and mothers—and eliminating abuse in all forms. A key point of concern is Article 9 of the Domestic Violence Law, which currently allows for the suspension of legal proceedings at any stage prior to judgment based on the victim's request, regardless of the gravity of the offense. The source explained that this provision has proven problematic in practice, as it obliges investigators to halt cases at the victim's discretion, potentially allowing serious offenses to go unpunished. The proposed legal reforms aim to abolish Article 9 and revert to standard legal procedures for case withdrawal, with new restrictions to prohibit the application of Article 104 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in cases involving sexual assault among family members and domestic violence against children or vulnerable individuals. The data and proposed reforms underscore the urgency of addressing domestic violence as both a legal and societal issue in Kuwait, with calls growing louder for a comprehensive response to protect victims and uphold justice.
Arab Times
22-04-2025
- Arab Times
Dear Central Bank of Kuwait, protect the money from hackers
IT is reassuring that the Ministry of Interior has issued a warning about suspicious websites, links, and deceptive communications that are designed to steal people's money. In doing so, the ministry is fulfilling its duty. However, there is a need for more efforts to deal with technological vulnerabilities related to the bank accounts of individuals, institutions, and companies. This responsibility primarily falls on the Central Bank of Kuwait, and secondly on commercial banks. Today, technology has grown into a vast and expansive realm with both several pros and cons. Therefore, protection against hackers has become a critical defense against 'hacker gangs' that steal people's money. Recently, gangs have been hacking government websites or creating counterfeit versions that closely resemble the original ones. These gangs have stolen money from many people who trusted these fake sites, as they appeared identical to the legitimate ones. Not everyone is equipped to recognize the signs of a fraudulent website. As a result, theft from bank customers' accounts has become more widespread lately, and yet a solution to the issue remains elusive. Many citizens continue to be shocked when they discover that money has been stolen from their accounts. It is important to note that this type of theft is classified as aggravated theft and is punishable by law, both in Kuwait and internationally. Transferring funds to domestic or foreign accounts without a legal basis is considered money laundering, as it involves the movement of illicit funds. Concealing the source of such funds through transfers or transmissions also raises red flags, as the money is often obtained through electronic fraud. Preventing these unauthorized transfers is the responsibility of the central authority overseeing funds movements both inside and outside the country. When victims visit their bank, they are often told that the bank cannot assist them. The bank claims that since the victim did not inform them of the non-transfer of funds, the transfer was processed as usual. The bank advises the victim to report the issue to the police and file a case with the Public Prosecution Office. In the meantime, the bank may temporarily suspend the victim's card until the case is resolved. Unfortunately, this often results in the victim losing their money and being unable to access their bank account. It is well known that the primary responsibility for financial security lies with the Central Bank of Kuwait, as is the case in neighboring countries and globally. The Central Bank operates a 'Customer Identification and Monitoring Room,' which is authorized to delay any fund transfer between customers for a set period of time. This delay allows for verification of the transaction's legitimacy and ensures that no fraudulent activity is involved In some Gulf countries and around the world, effective solutions to this issue are already in place. The Operations and Activities Monitoring Room, which tracks transactions in real time, delays fund transfers for a short period to allow its staff to contact the issuing bank. The bank, in turn, reaches out to the customer to confirm their approval of the transaction, regardless of the amount. It is unacceptable to treat this matter lightly, as it directly impacts financial and economic security and undermines citizens' trust in the safety of fund transfers. Moreover, such incidents can lead to customers being falsely implicated in money laundering cases, which may result in serious consequences until their innocence is proven. By then, not only might the customer have lost their money, but also their reputation. Therefore, the Central Bank of Kuwait must take stronger measures to protect customers' funds from hackers and fraudulent activities.
