AN investor is due back in court next Sunday, accused of issuing two dud cheques totalling BD1,100,000 to finance a hi-tech communications project in Bahrain.

The Saudi businessman denies the charge, saying that the cheques were only meant as a guarantee, under an agreement with the Duabi-based company behind the project.

It involved setting up a communications centre in Bahrain to allow companies to buy and sell over the Internet, the Lower Criminal Court heard.

The defendant is free on BD10,000 bail but under a travel ban, which defence lawyer Fareed Ghazi urged the court to lift at an earlier hearing.

"My client is a top businessman and investor and I request the court to acquit him, because he issued these two cheques as guarantee according to the agreement he signed with the UAE holding company," said Mr Ghazi.

"The travel ban imposed on him is harming his business because he has to travel to UAE to attend meetings and make decisions.

"I also request the court to advance the date of the next hearing and deliver a quick ruling."

The court refused to lift the travel ban, but set the date for the next hearing on Sunday.

aslam@gdn.com.bh