Bahrain court grants divorce to woman after years of abuse and assault

Dubai: A Bahraini woman has been granted a divorce after her husband was convicted of violently abusing her, including an assault that left her with a broken nose.

According to court records, the woman endured years of physical and verbal abuse during her marriage but initially remained silent to preserve her family.

The violence escalated earlier this year, prompting her to seek help after a particularly severe attack. Her lawyer told local media the abuse was both “long-standing and documented.”

The husband was convicted by Bahrain’s criminal court of assault, insult, and mistreatment, and fined BD500. His subsequent appeal was dismissed, and the conviction upheld.

Building on the criminal ruling, the woman sought a divorce in the Sharia Court, citing harm. The court accepted the criminal verdict as conclusive proof of abuse, ruling that the severity of the violence and mistreatment made reconciliation impossible.

Judges granted her an irrevocable divorce (khul’), which bars her from returning to her ex-husband except with a new contract and dowry. The divorce certificate will be issued once the verdict is final.

 -- Huda Ata is an independent writer based in the UAE