Introduce background check for expatriates

Calls have intensified to introduce background checks to prevent expatriates with criminal backgrounds entering the Kingdom.

This follows the brutal murder of a Bahraini imam by a Bangladeshi suspect last week. It has been also learnt that the crimes committed by expatriates in the Kingdom have been on the rise with many criminals from other countries coming to Bahrain in the absence of background checks.

The Nationality, Passport and Residence Affairs (NPRA) has confirmed that 690 foreigners, who had criminal records in their home countries, have been arrested upon arriving in the Kingdom after receiving alerts since 2014.

The NPRA said that it has been taking many measures to conduct a criminal audit on passengers arriving through air, land and sea ports as it is vital to protect the security of the Kingdom.

The authority said that there is an ongoing cooperation between all concerned departments to ensure that no criminals enter the Kingdom from abroad.