Manama:Dr. Ali bin Fadhl Al Buainain, the Attorney-General, has issued Decision (52) of 2026, which establishes the Environmental and Public Health Crimes Unit. This unit will be responsible for investigating and addressing crimes related to the environment and public health as per the legislation across the Kingdom.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the new unit's jurisdiction will cover a wide range of offenses, including environmental crimes, crimes affecting natural resources, wildlife and marine resources, beaches and coasts, as well as issues concerning groundwater, surface water, sewage, and public cleanliness. Additionally, the unit will address crimes related to public health and other areas governed by relevant environmental legislation.
The creation of this unit is part of the Public Prosecution's strategy to improve the specialized handling of cases that require technical and legal expertise. This move aims to enhance the efficiency of investigations and law enforcement, thereby improving the prosecution of crimes impacting the environment or public health.
The unit is tasked with following up on cases in court, reviewing and studying judgments in coordination with the Court of Appeal Prosecution, compiling statistics and periodic reports, and monitoring new methods of committing such crimes. The unit will also propose legislative measures to support national strategies and improve investigative capabilities.
Coordination with relevant authorities will be a key function of the unit, focusing on developing mechanisms to combat environmental and public health crimes and collecting evidence to ensure effective judicial proceedings. This coordination will help ensure that offenders are prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Senior Advocate Homam Adel Busaibeh has been appointed as the Head of the Environmental and Public Health Crimes Unit, with Senior Advocate Hassan Abbas Al Haddad serving as Deputy Head. The establishment of this unit is part of the broader efforts to enhance the Public Prosecution's work system by building specialized expertise and improving its ability to tackle crimes of a technical and specialized nature.