Lawyer wants Messi to testify in Dubai cop case

Dubai - Summoning Messi for testimony to prove my client had no criminal intention, the lawyer said.

Summoning Barcelona star Lionel Messi to testify in court may be part of the defence plan by the lawyer representing the Dubai cop, who has been given one month in jail for posting the footballer's passport details online.
The 26-year-old Emirati sergeant's lawyer Abdelmonem Suwaidan told Khaleej Times that they will be requesting the court for the Argentinian footballer's testimony. "It is a legal claim. And our defence team will present solid legal arguments and plead for the acquittal of my client of the charges.
"The aim of our request is to prove that my client got the approval of one of Messi's personal security team members before he filmed himself holding his passport; that is to prove that he had no criminal intention".
Suwaidan added that he will present his defence arguments at the Court of Appeals on March 1. 
Also read: Dubai cop jailed for posting Messi's passport photo online
The police officer was sentenced to one month in jail on Monday on the charge of breaching the privacy of the renowned footballer by posting pictures of his passport online. 
The sergeant, based at Dubai airport, earlier admitted to the charges when he appeared in the Court of Misdemeanours but claimed he did not mean to breach the star's privacy.
The case dates back to December 27 when the footballer had just arrived into Dubai for the Global Soccer Award Ceremony.
According to prosecution records, the officer was at Terminal 2 of the airport to submit a sick leave when he learnt that his idol was about to arrive.
The sergeant told the investigators that he did not manage to take a selfie with the star, who was then tired as he was told by the star's guards.
However, when passing by the passport control counter he spotted Messi's passport.
So he clicked photos of the passport and posted it on Snapchat, which is believed to have gone viral.
The court was told that the sergeant posted the photo of the passport with a comment that read: "This is Messi in Dubai... Now what to do? Burn the passport ...or leave it there? Ok. I will leave it there." 
The officer claimed in the investigation he got the approval of a security staff member accompanying Messi before he took a picture of himself holding it.
In the court, the officer admitted to charges of breach of privacy and abuse of the telecommunication services.
He was detained for about 21 days after the incident and has been granted bail since the beginning of his trial. 
mary@khaleejtimes.com 

• Dubai