Weekly Event (Saturday – June 6, 2026): Marika Paulson – The Mysterious Woman in Bahrain – “Hamad Institute for Justice” Launches Its First Activity: Legalizing Corruption First
On May 25, 2026, Hamad Al Khalifa announced the establishment of what was called the “King Hamad Global Institute for Justice.” Within days, a headquarters for the institute was opened in London. On June 4, 2026, the Bahrain International Council for Dispute Resolution hosted a session on commercial justice in the British capital. According to the official announcement, the event took place at the newly established King Hamad Institute.
The Bahrain International Council for Dispute Resolution is headed by the Dutch national Marika Patrani Paulson.
Analysts have raised questions about Paulson’s relationship with Bahrain’s ruling establishment and the nature of the significant services she is said to have provided. These questions became more prominent after a royal decree issued in August 2024 appointed a new Board of Trustees for the Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution, naming Paulson as Deputy Chairperson while she also continued serving as Secretary-General of the Bahrain International Council for Dispute Resolution.
These senior positions authorize Paulson to perform official duties on behalf of Bahrain, including receiving visiting dignitaries (she welcomed India’s Minister of Justice in December 2024—her father is reportedly of Indian origin), signing agreements, opening international offices, and overseeing the development of Bahrain’s commercial legal framework to align it with international standards.
What Is Paulson’s Role in Allegedly Legitimizing the Corruption of Hamad and His Sons?
According to the article, since 2024 Paulson has been serving Bahrain’s government in the field of investment consulting, helping formulate business strategies designed to address economic challenges and geopolitical risks. She reportedly established a consulting relationship with the Economic Development Board, which operates under Crown Prince Salman.
Paulson is said to have rapidly expanded her influence within various official institutions, including serving on the international arbitration committee of the Sabika Al Khalifa Global Award for Women’s Empowerment.
Reports also circulated that Paulson had been offered Bahraini citizenship. However, a source cited by the article claimed that she declined the offer and instead chose to obtain permanent residency in Bahrain.
The King Hamad Global Institute for Justice
The article argues that the institute was established against the backdrop of what it describes as a campaign of repression against Bahrain’s Shiite community. It states that the institute was promoted as an organization dedicated to improving legislative systems in ways that support justice and human rights.
However, the article contends that the institute’s very first activity demonstrates that Hamad’s primary concern is commerce and the legalization of what the author describes as widespread corruption within the country, particularly following the formal signing of a free trade agreement with the United Kingdom on May 20, 2026.
The article further claims that this objective requires international expertise in commercial law, combined with the ability to conceal the alleged financial misconduct of the Al Khalifa family. According to the article, this is precisely the role that Paulson is performing in exchange for substantial financial compensation..
