A FORMER government official has been acquitted of stealing agricultural sand from a ministry-run project in Hoorat A’ali.

The former director at the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry was found not guilty of embezzlement by the High Criminal Court yesterday.

The ministry was launching the project when it discovered that up to 600 cubic metres of sand were dug out from an area covering 50sqm.

The 65-year-old Bahraini was accused of using his position to appropriate the sand illegally.

The National Audit Office report also highlighted the violation following which a case was registered.

A truck driver had earlier alleged that the defendant asked him to transport the sand to his house and other sites.

He also claimed to have transported 10 to 12 shipments of sand, each weighing 10 cubic metres and costing BD50.

However, the court yesterday acquitted the defendant due to lack of evidence. “The court does not trust the evidence presented in the case,” read the ruling.

“The defendant cannot be held accountable based on suspicion.”

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