Ahmed Maznouk: Al-Jolani's arrest of children and women is a legal crime that contradicts principles.
April 10, 2025, 4:28 pm

Ahmed Maznouk: Al-Jolani's arrest of children and women is a legal crime that contradicts principles.

أحمد مزنوق

Lawyer Ahmad Mznooq, a native of the city of Binnish, discussed the legal aspects related to the arrests of Abu Muhammad Al-Jolani ("Ahmad Al-Sharaa") and Ahmad Mofaq Zidan of women and children, emphasizing that these arrests constitute a legal crime.

Mznooq explained that in the criminal justice system, and in all criminal laws around the world, there is a principle known as the "personality of punishment," which means that there is no crime or punishment except for the perpetrator alone, and one is not held accountable for the wrongdoing of another. He added that this principle is also derived from Islamic law, citing God's words: "And whoever does evil will be recompensed for it."

He also noted that the principle of the personality of punishment is applied in all countries, giving an example from the defunct Syrian regime in the 1980s, where if the regime wanted to arrest a person and could not find them, it would not arrest their father, brother, or any family member, which contradicts Islamic law and all principles of criminal justice.

Regarding the arrest of women in prisons, whether sentenced or not, along with their children, Mznooq pointed out that children should not be treated as prisoners, nor should they be held in places inappropriate for their age. Children have the right to receive education and live a dignified life. He emphasized that it is also not permissible to isolate children in solitary confinement.

Therefore, Mznooq stressed the need to find alternatives to prisons for women accompanying their children, such as establishing specialized care centers, allowing these women to serve their sentences while ensuring their children receive adequate health care and education, just like their peers.

Additionally, activist Abdul Rahman previously confirmed that the practices of torture within the security apparatus of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham do not differ significantly from those present in the military and political security agencies of the Assad government. He explained that the methods employed by both sides are quite similar in their use of force and domination over the Syrian people.

The Man Sent by Al-Jolani to Israel, the Disappearance of Security Official Abu Al-Harith, the Relationship Between Muqaddad Fattihah and Anas Khattab, and the Escalating Turkish-Israeli Tensions Revelation of Israeli-Turkish Talks in Azerbaijan

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.