3 people land in court for begging in UAE

Fujairah - The court ordered adjournment of all the three cases to next week to issue its ruling.

Three residents, including a 70-year-old man, stood trial at the Fujairah Misdemeanour Court, in three separate cases, on charges of begging.
In the first case, the Fujairah Police arrested an Arab woman, on a residency visa, while selling some stationery on a public road.
When interrogated by the law enforcement bodies, she denied the charges of begging.
"I was only selling some stationery to make some money for my four young kids."
She added that her husband is sick.
"There is no one to help or support me, and I had to make some money to cover the needs of my ill husband and four children," she pointed out.
The woman was referred to the Fujairah Public Prosecution and then to the court where she reaffirmed that she was not begging.
In another case, the same court interrogated a 70-year-old Arab man, who was arrested red-handed while begging. However, he told the court that he was not begging. "I was only collecting some donations for a charity project back home."
In the third case, an Asian man was caught begging at the Heel Industrial area. He was referred to the prosecution and court.
The man denied the charges of begging.
The court ordered adjournment of all the three cases to next week to issue its ruling.
'Donate to licensed charities'
The Fujairah Police had earlier arrested a number of beggars from different areas in the emirate.
"The beggars - who mostly come on a visit visa - were nabbed during an intensive anti-begging campaign," a police source said.
"More security patrols and cops have been deployed at all the markets and residential areas where beggars loiter around."
He said the public need to contribute their donations to licensed charity associations which have a clear and verified data of all disadvantaged cases and low-income people.
"The listed widows, orphans and poor patients are more worthy of these charities," he underlined, noting that the "professional beggars" cash in on people's sentiments and their magnanimous nature.
In April 2018, the UAE passed an anti-begging federal law which slaps anyone caught begging with a Dh5,000 fine and up to three months in prison, he cautioned.
"Those who operate gangs of beggars will be handed a prison sentence of not less than six months as well as a minimum fine of Dh100,000."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Fujairah