The nine-member gang led by the European was earlier arrested by the police and produced before the court. The other members of the gang, all workers at the airport, are of different nationalities.

Police said the gang was held for allegedly stealing items from passengers luggage at the airport. On interrogation, the suspects confessed to the charge saying that they used to open the luggage of passengers at the baggage bay of the arrivals terminal.

The second accused, Sarab Bukhsh, said he entered the luggage bay and stole a mobile phone from a suitcase, while his accomplice, the second suspect Farooq Haji, kept watch at the entrance of the facility.

Sarab said he had seen the gang leader, the prime suspect, stealing a pen from one of the suitcases in the luggage bay.

When the first, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eight suspects were crossed-examined, they confessed to the charge.

The Public Prosecution, however, is expected to contest the verdict, and seek deportation of the nine convicts, since the ruling was confined to jail terms only.