Government officer jailed for accepting Dh900 bribe in UAE

Ras Al Khaimah - He will also be deported after completing his jail term.

Two Asian residents have been sentenced to jail and fined Dh5,000 for bribery by the Ras Al Khaimah Criminal Court. The first convict - a trader - will serve three years in prison, while the second convict - a public officer - has been given a one-year imprisonment. 
The two will be deported after completing their jail terms.
As per court records, the case unfolded when the first defendant offered a bribe of Dh900 to the second defendant, who works as a customs clearance staff with the Saqr Port in Ras Al Khaimah, to give him a nod for two containers filled with scrap iron weighing 60 tonnes. The trader wanted to ship his containers out of the country without paying due taxes or even inspection, the prosecutors added.
The duo was referred to the RAK Criminal Court where they denied the charges and told the court they did not have any intention of offering or accepting a bribe.
The first defendant said that the Dh900 he gave to the second defendant was just a loan. "It was never a bribe," he said.
He added that he has already made payment of over Dh50,000 against due taxes and charges. "So, what's the bribe for?" he asked.
The second defendant affirmed the same, adding that the Dh900 he collected from the first defendant was only a debt he would pay. "I never requested or accepted a bribe," he claimed.
The court, presided over by Chief Judge Sameh Shaker, found the duo guilty, and ordered the first suspect to serve three years in prison, and deportation thereafter. It sentenced the second suspect to one year in jail, and ordered him to pay a fine of Dh5,000.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ras Al Khaimah