Bahraini Student Sentenced to Three Years for Arson After Sister Denied Drug Funds

Court Verdict and Sentence

A university student described as misusing drugs received a three-year prison term after he set fire to a section of his family’s residence in Hamad Town following his sister’s refusal to fund his drug purchase.

Bahrain, a Gulf island state, has seen occasional cases of substance‑related offences in its courts.

The High Criminal Court found the 23‑year‑old Bahraini guilty of igniting a fire in an occupied dwelling and putting lives and property at risk.

During the proceedings, the court was told that the agitated youth had posted threats in the family’s WhatsApp chat moments before he lit the fire.

The verdict read: “The defendant would often ask his sister for money to buy narcotic substances, and she would decline his request.”

“He repeatedly threatened to burn the house.”

“He decided to commit arson, beginning with his room.”

“He set alight a bedsheet, and his room was completely gutted.”

“The rest of the house was also damaged by smoke and rising flames.”

“He further endangered his siblings’ lives, as they lived in the house with him.”

The verdict stated that the defendant’s room suffered a total loss, rated at 100 percent damage, with an air conditioner, bed and wardrobe reduced to ashes.

The entire ground floor, comprising four rooms and the staircase up to the first level, was blanketed in soot and incurred fire damage, the ceilings showing notable harm.

After a psychiatric assessment conducted by the Health Ministry’s Medical Commission, the defendant was deemed fit to stand trial.

In one of the hearings, the Public Prosecution urged the judges to apply the maximum possible penalty.

The psychiatric report stated that the defendant has a history of misusing drugs and stimulants, but he can be held responsible for his actions.

Family Threats and the Fire

The GDN had earlier covered the sister’s testimony, in which she said her brother requested money on the day of the April incident, but she replied she had none, adding that she knew he would spend it on drugs.

She noted that he frequently threatened in the family group chat to set the house ablaze, which led her to dismiss the warnings.

Another sister described how the fire spread from his room to other parts of the home and said she contacted the Civil Defence; firefighters arrived promptly, extinguished the blaze and brought the scene under control.

Damage Assessment and Aftermath

A Civil Defence investigation determined that the fire was of human origin.

Court papers show the house is listed as ‘owned by heirs’, suggesting it belonged to a deceased parent of the defendant and his brothers and sisters.

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