Robbers tear gas Bahrain ambassador, steal $130,000 watch in attempted carjacking in France

Bahrain's ambassador to the United States received an injury to his head as robbers tried to steal his car in the French town of Grasse, according to the Arabic-language service of the AFP news agency.

The attackers made off with Sheikh Abdullah bin Rashed Al Khalifa's $130,000 watch and his wife's handbag. The diplomat was accompanied by his spouse and their daughter during the robbery.

French police issued a statement saying that the 39-year-old ambassador to the US, who has been in his position since 2017, had been the victim of a violent robbery.

A police source said that tear gas was used in the robbery, which took place at around 11 pm local time on Tuesday. The ambassador and his family were driving to the home of a friend.

The attackers hit the ambassador on the head and took his expensive watch after using the tear gas. Members of the local fire service reportedly tended to the ambassador and his family, who did not require medical attention.