MANAMA: Three people accused of involvement in the blaze which gutted a labour accommodation in Manama were sentenced to five years in jail each.
“The first instance of the High Criminal Court acquitted the fourth suspect”, Chief Prosecutor Hussain Al-Sairafi said.
Thirteen migrant workers were killed as a fire swept through a three-storey block housing Asians in Manama, while 8 others sustained injuries. An investigation conducted by the Public Prosecution revealed grave violations in the overcrowded labour camp, in addition to the absence of any emergency exits.
A Municipalities and Urban Planning Ministry employee was charged with forging documents and failing to report violations to the competent authorities. The court also convicted the employee along with the landlords who own the building with manslaughter causing the tragic death of 13 Asian migrant workers.
The Municipalities and Urban Planning Ministry employee failed to take the necessary legal measures for violations to be removed, the Court heard. The other accused involved in the case rented the premises to a large number of migrant workers, exceeding the capacity of the building which lacked safety and security requirements. Witnesses and injured migrants’ testimonials and results of the forensic probe revealed compelling evidence against the accused.