Tit-for-tat at Bahrain airport

A Bahraini man, who was caught smoking a cigarette while driving his car, has been charged with denigrating Ramadan, according to an ArabiaBusiness.com report quoting a Daily Tribune (Bahrain) story.

The man was referred to the Lower Criminal Court where he was remanded in custody for seven days pending an investigation.

Bahrain prohibits smoking, drinking and eating in public during daylight hours in the holy month of Ramadan.

Earlier this month, an Egyptian woman was charged with smoking in public during daylight hours, an offence that allegedly took place as she was being questioned by a Customs officer at Bahrain International Airport.

The 32-year-old had been escorted into the lieutenant’s office after she apparently tried to avoid having her bags checked at the airport, claiming that she was late for her flight.

The Gulf Daily News reported that she allegedly insulted the officer, knocked his hat off and lit a cigarette in his office.

She explained that she lit the cigarette because she was not fasting.

And she was reported to have said that she knocked the policeman’s hat off accidentally as she waved her hands while explaining that she was late for her flight.

The woman was released on bail.