Three Ministry of Social Development employees have been sentenced to prison and fined for defrauding the Social Insurance Organisation (SIO) of over 266,000 Bahraini dinars through their involvement in the “Khatwa” programme. The first defendant received a five-year prison sentence, the second defendant was sentenced to three years, and the third defendant received an 18-month prison term. They were also ordered to pay a combined fine of over 500,000 dinars, including restitution of the stolen funds.
The Public Prosecution argued for the maximum penalties, highlighting the severity of the crime and its impact on the community. The case was based on an investigation by the National Audit Office, which uncovered the fraudulent activities. The defendants issued over 70 false statements claiming that beneficiaries of the “Khatwa” programme were working from home, allowing them to unlawfully purchase years of service and receive optional insurance benefits.
The first defendant admitted to approving the false statements without verifying their authenticity, while the third defendant confessed to forging an official document claiming she was registered in the “Khatwa” programme while working as a trainer for the Ministry. The second defendant was allegedly involved in preparing the fraudulent document. The public officials were charged with forgery, harming the interests of the SIO, and enabling beneficiaries to receive salaries, pensions, and allowances unlawfully.
The second defendant was charged with forging official documents and approving the false statements prepared by the first defendant, leading to beneficiaries unlawfully gaining years of service and causing damages to the SIO. The third defendant neglected her duty to verify the validity of the “Khatwa” programme registration statements, allowing beneficiaries to fraudulently receive benefits.
The investigation conducted by the Anti-Corruption Crimes Department revealed the extent of the defendants’ fraudulent activities. The prosecution emphasized the need for strict penalties to deter similar crimes in the future and protect the interests of the community. The court’s ruling serves as a warning to individuals engaging in fraudulent activities that they will be held accountable for their actions.
