Bahraini Man Sentenced to Eight Years for Repeated Dumpster Arson

Court Verdict and Sentencing

A 46‑year‑old Bahraini man from Sitra was found guilty of setting fire to dumpsters in eight separate cases and sentenced to eight years in prison by the High Criminal Court. Each incident was tried individually, resulting in a one‑year prison term for each offence.

The judges decided not to impose a fine for property damage, stating that the trash was worthless and the containers had not suffered significant damage.

Psychiatric Evaluation

During the trial the court ordered that the man be admitted to a psychiatric hospital. A medical commission reported that he had misused inhalants and alcohol, but declared him fit to stand trial.

The verdict quoted the psychiatric report: “The psychiatric report concluded that the defendant had been inhaling glue and abusing alcohol for the past four years, and was under the influence of these substances at the time of the incidents.”

It also noted: “Despite his altered state, it appeared that he understood his actions and their consequences, and he was declared fit to stand trial.”

Defendant’s Statement and Defence

According to the Public Prosecution, the retired Interior Ministry employee set the dumpsters alight on 2 January, 12 and 27 February, 20 March, 16 and 21 April, and 14 and 29 May.

The man admitted the charges, telling the judges he was taking revenge against neighbours who had accused him of ‘spying on them’.

He said he regretted his actions and vowed not to repeat them. In an earlier hearing he explained that he had acted because of his mental health issues linked to the current state of affairs.

He added: “I also did it because the trash smells awful and I didn’t want it to become a source of disease, since garbage bins aren’t emptied often enough.”

He previously acknowledged setting tissue paper on fire with his lighter before throwing it into the dumpsters, which caused the fires to spread.

In a defence memorandum his lawyer asked the court to re‑classify the charges as property damage, arguing that no life had been endangered.

The lawyer also contended that the man should not be held liable because he suffers from a mental illness that impairs his control over behaviour.

The judges requested the Health Ministry’s Medical Commission to assess his mental and psychiatric state; the commission concluded that he could be held responsible for his actions.

Prosecution Timeline and Proceedings

In July four cases were brought before the court, and four further trials began in August. Although details that distinguished the individual incidents were limited, in all eight proceedings he was convicted of intentionally starting fires and endangering the lives and property of those around him.