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Lawyer denies Gulf News report, says never talked to the reporter

SHARJAH — Andrie Korol, the Estonian peacekeeping soldier, will leave the country today, after the court of appeal quashed his sentence of 80 lashes, for harassing a policewoman at Sharjah International Airport.

Salim Sahoh, Korol’s lawyer, who was hired by the Dutch Embassy to represent the soldier in court, said that he had requested the bail on behalf of the consul-general of Holland, confirming Khaleej Times’ report and expressing surprise at being quoted by Gulf News as having dismissed the Dutch Embassy’s involvement in bailing Korol out.

He confirmed in an exclusive interview with Khaleej Times yesterday, that he promised the Dutch Embassy that he would request for Korol’s release on bail. “During the first hearing of the appeal, the Sharjah Appeal Court accepted the request and agreed to release him on bail.

“I and the Consul-General of Holland and one of my employees went to the jail and had him released, after which Korol accompanied the Consul-General to his house.

“During the hearing, the Consul-General presented a written undertaking to keep Korol at his home, located in Umm Suqueim, till the time of the last hearing, and his deportation from the country.”

“The Dutch Embassy played a great role in supporting Korol, although he is not a Dutch citizen,” Salim Saloh said, stressing that he had never talked to, or met any Gulf News reporter.

He confirmed that Korol will not be lashed, and he has already received his documents, and will be deported today. “He is free now.”

• UAE