Murder verdict to be given on Sept 30

Manama

Court ruling will be delivered on September 30 in the trial of an Asian national accused of murdering his friend using a broken bulb, following a financial dispute over BD150.

The accused reportedly wanted to postpone the date of his driving license test and the victim promised to help in return for BD150. The victim reportedly he had connections to do the needful.

But the victim failed to keep his promise, nor did he return the money to the accused, court files read.

"He requested BD150 to change the date of my driving license test. But he didn't do anything about it. He started averting every time I ask him to return my money," the accused claimed in his statement.

"I lost my temper and angrily went to the room, where he stayed with some other labourers. I asked him to give back my money, but he gave me only 500 Saudi Riyals (BD50),” he said adding, "I declined it because I wanted to be paid in full."

The pair later engaged in a brawl after the victim reportedly insulted the accused. But the latter ended the brawl by stabbing the former with a

broken bulb he found on the scene, according to court files.

"I struck hard on his abdomen with the broken bulb. I panicked and immediately fled the scene," the accused told prosecutors.

A laborer who was on the scene confirmed the account. The eyewitness, however, said the accused left the room after the victim had insulted him. “Initially they exchanged insults, but he (the accused) left the room, only to return later with the bulb," the witness said.

"He then stabbed the victim who was lying on his bed," he added.

The trial is being heard at the High Criminal Court where the accused pleaded not guilty. He was, however, detained in police custody.