Duo in dock for forging government seal in UAE

Ras Al Khaimah - The first defendant said he worked in a roastery shop and knew nothing about the forgery.

Two Arab residents have gone on trial in the Ras Al Khaimah Criminal Court, facing charges of forging an official seal of a government entity.
Court records showed that the suspects allegedly used the forged seal to duplicate official documents and tenancy contracts for residential and commercial units.
Upon being alerted, the RAK Police arrested the accused, who denied the charges.
They were referred to the RAK public prosecution and the RAK Criminal Court of First Instance.
The first defendant said he worked in a roastery shop and knew nothing about the forgery. The second defendant said he was abroad at the time of the crime and was detained upon his arrival at the airport. He added that he had been working in Ras Al Khaimah for 18 years and never got involved in any crime.
The defence lawyer of the second defendant presented his plea and asked the court to release his client on bail for lack of evidence and criminal intent.
The court adjourned the case to the end of this month.
Advocate Haid Abdulhadi told Khaleej Times: "Forgery means the alteration of a genuine instrument, whether by adding or removing or changing any of its written parts, numbers, marks or pictures."
To falsely sign, put a forged seal, or alter a genuine signature, seal or imprint are also banned, she said. "Forgery also occurs whenever one tries to obtain by fraud the signature, seal or imprint of a person who ignores the contents of the instrument or who has not validly given his consent."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com