Airport security staff jailed for robbing passenger of Dh4,775 in UAE

Sharjah - The victim said she and her husband have been living in the US for years and have travelled many times to the UAE.

The Sharjah Criminal Court has sentenced a female airport security staff to six months in prison for stealing $1,300 (Dh4,775) from a woman passenger's bag. She will be deported after serving her jail term.
The incident came to light on November 13 last year when the passenger lodged a complaint stating that while travelling to her country, she had put $5,000 inside her bag. At the airport, the accused frisked her and searched her bag. Later, when she checked her bag, she found $1,300 missing from it. The complainant - who is a businesswoman - said she suspected the employee to be behind the theft.
The victim said she and her husband have been living in the US for years and have travelled many times to the UAE. It was for the first time that they had faced such a situation, she added.
It was also pointed out that the employee had got $1,300 exchanged into dirhams from a money exchange office at the airport terminal. The court heard the testimony of the exchange office staffer, who confirmed that the accused had carried out a transaction of the same amount as alleged.
Lawyer Salem Obaid bin Sahouh told the court that his client was innocent. He said the complainant gave contradictory testimonies before the public prosecution and the court. He pointed out that the money exchange done by the employee was made on the second day at the airport and not the day the complainant lost the money.
Sahouh said his client is known for her honesty and integrity. Thirteen years since she has been working at the airport, not a single complaint has been brought against her, the lawyer added. He said the employee is responsible for the security and protection of passengers travelling through the airport and she can never commit such an ignoble act. While making a strong case for her defence, he requested the court to refer the case to misdemeanor court and said she shouldn't be tried in the criminal court.

• Sharjah