Drugging passengers at airport: Court adjourns trial

The First High Criminal Court on Wednesday adjourned the trial of a man accused of drugging and robbing passengers at Bahrain International Airport to July 9. The court ordered to keep the suspect, an Asian national, in detention until the next session. The incidents leading to his arrest occurred when the Airport Police found three Asian passengers in an unusual mental state. Footage from surveillance cameras showed the three passengers speaking to a person, who offered them drinks.

Investigators said the man at first spots targets at the airport, and during the conversation offer drinks laced with a hypnotic drug to rob them. Footages also showed the suspect transferring money and booking a flight to a neighbouring GCC country. Police arrested the man while he was getting on board the plane.

When searched, police found cash and sleeping pills in the defendant’s possession. He, however, claimed that the victims willingly gave him the money to get it exchanged. On 18 November 2018, the Public Prosecution accused the man of robbing the victims and attempting to escape from the country. The prosecution accused him of possessing and abusing drugs and referred him to the First High Criminal Court.