Latest news with #BahrainBarSociety
Daily Tribune
12-07-2025
- Daily Tribune
Bar Society stands firm amid public backlash
The Bahrain Bar Society has come to the defence of a lawyer facing public criticism for representing a defendant in a high-profile criminal case that has gripped the nation. Ahmed Abdulla Tawq, a lawyer and private notary, became the target of intense online attacks after agreeing to defend a 29-year-old Bahraini man accused of causing a road crash that killed a couple and their young son and left two other children seriously injured. The tragedy, which occurred on May 30, sparked widespread outrage, with many on social media and in local newspaper comment sections demanding that lawyers refuse to represent clients in emotionally charged cases. In a strong rebuttal, the Bar Society's board described such calls as 'misguided,' emphasising that criminal justice cannot function without defence lawyers. 'A lawyer's duty is not to exonerate the accused, but to ensure that all sides are heard in court,' the Society said. 'Their role is to present arguments clearly and ensure every relevant fact is scrutinised. Walking away from difficult or unpopular cases not only undermines justice but may carry serious professional consequences.' The Case The defendant is accused of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs before veering into oncoming traffic and crashing into the family's vehicle. The impact killed three members of the family at the scene, as they were reportedly preparing to celebrate Eid Al Adha. Two children survived but remain hospitalised. In court, Mr Tawq requested a pause in proceedings to review the charges, suggesting they may conflict with constitutional protections. He also called for witnesses to be heard and asked that his client undergo a medical evaluation, noting the defendant suffers from epilepsy, which could have impaired his awareness at the time of the incident. Prosecutors, however, demanded the maximum penalty, arguing the crash was the result of a 'chain of reckless decisions' and that the defendant deserved no leniency. The Legal Principle The Bar Society invoked Article 20 of Bahrain's Constitution, which guarantees the right of every accused individual to legal representation. The Society warned against allowing public emotion to override this foundational legal principle. 'Compassion for victims is deeply important, but it must not spill over into hostility toward professionals fulfilling their duties,' the statement read. Quoting Imam Ali, the Society reminded the public: 'It is better to err in forgiveness than in punishment.' They also cited Benjamin Franklin's famous principle: 'It is better that a hundred guilty persons should escape than that one innocent person should suffer.' The Society urged the public to support — not vilify — those who uphold the legal system, stressing that defence lawyers play a vital role in helping courts reach fair and balanced judgments. 'They deserve gratitude, not condemnation,' the statement said.
Daily Tribune
27-03-2025
- Daily Tribune
Lawyer brutally beaten inside Sharia Courts Complex by client's ex-husband after hearing
A lawyer was attacked by a client's ex-husband inside the Sharia Courts Complex moments after a hearing, suffering bleeding head wounds before being taken to the hospital. The assault, carried out inside a building meant to uphold the law, has led to renewed calls for stronger protection for those practising it. The lawyer had just represented a woman in a family case against her former husband. As he made his way to the lift, the man followed and struck him repeatedly in the head. Criminal complaint A criminal complaint was filed, and the attacker was arrested on the spot. The lawyer was treated in hospital for his injuries. According to the Public Prosecution, the man has confessed. He admitted to hitting the lawyer, saying he was driven by personal resentment over the lawyer's role in the divorce case. Urgent trial The attack took place in Hunainiya, and the case has now been referred to urgent trial. Proceedings are set to begin on 7 April before the Second Lower Criminal Court. Prosecutors said statements were taken from the victim and witnesses, and that technical reports supported the complaint. The Deputy Chief Prosecutor for the Southern Governorate condemned the attack and said lawyers must be recognised as part of the legal machinery. Legal action She warned that anyone who shows contempt for the profession would face legal action. The Bahrain Bar Society had earlier issued a statement condemning the incident. It said this was no passing scuffle but a direct challenge to the role of lawyers within the justice system. The society urged both the executive and judicial branches to respond with force. Law It also called once again for a law that would shield lawyers from physical attack while doing their jobs — whether in court or at their offices — as seen in other Gulf and Arab countries. The group said Bahrain should ensure its laws live up to the agreements it has signed abroad. Salah Al Madfa, head of the Bar Society, said the lawyer had been defending a woman in a Sharia dispute when her ex-husband lashed out. The lawyer was left with a bleeding wound to the head and required hospital treatment. The suspect was held soon after. The society said it would keep pressing for tighter legal cover to close the gaps that have left lawyers exposed, and to back the profession as a mainstay in the defence of justice and personal rights.
