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Estonian in airport case says he was not aware of local rules

SHARJAH — The Sharjah Sharia court during an appeal hearing yesterday quashed the 80 lashes announced earlier for Andrie Karol, the Estonian soldier of peacekeeping force who was charged with one month imprisonment, 80 lashes and fine of Dh 2,000 followed by deportation for consumption of alcohol and harassing a policewoman during his transit at Sharjah Airport.

Karol's Lawyer, Obaid Sahoh told Khaleej Times that the Estonian soldier had requested for an appeal hearing which was heard by the court yesterday . The Dutch embassy had bailed out Karol and kept him in their custody till the date of hearing was set up by the court.

The lawyer said since Karol had served a one month jail it was taken into account by the court as punishment for consuming alcohol. The Dh 2000 fine was paid instead of the 80 lashes and now Karol is free and will leave for his country tody (Sunday).

Andrie Karol had arrived with EU troop of peace keeping from Afghanistan and during the transit period at Sharjah Air port had consumed alcohol and had mistakely entered a rest room where a policewoman Mervat alleged she was sexually harassed by the soldier. Mervat filed a complaint against him for sexually harrassing her during her break time.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Karol said “I did not Know the alcohol consumption is forbidden during the transit period at the Sharjah air port. He said he had got drunk in a Bar of the Airport where many people were drinking and some others were buying alcohol from the bar. "We were in transit for refuelling and we did not have a visa to the UAE, so we did not know about the culture of this country."

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