Assizes Court acquits six defendants in electricity and water meter contracts case due to insufficient evidence
The Assizes Court acquitted six defendants of bribery charges due to insufficient evidence.
Translated by Qiyas from الجريدة — Original source
The Criminal Court ruled that Judge Badr Al-Shaheen, Judge Ibrahim Kharib, and Judge Faisal Kharib acquitted the head of a department and an inspector at the Ministry of Electricity and Water, three expatriates, and a Kuwaiti national of charges of bribery, mediation, and complicity in bribery.
The court clarified that the combined evidence did not establish that the benefits were given in exchange for overlooking the company’s violations. It added that the testimony of the criminal investigation officer, regarding the outcomes of his inquiries, does not constitute independent evidence separate from those inquiries.
It further noted that each defendant bears personal responsibility, and the mere transfer of documents does not prove knowledge of the recipient’s intent. Likewise, merely receiving financial benefits or being appointed to a position does not establish complicity in bribery.
