More than half of the Philippines' provinces are in drought as El Nino exacerbates hot and dry conditions typical for March, April and May
asia2 hours ago
A security officer was given a 5-year jail term to be followed by deportation for stealing a diamond stone worth $20 million (Dh73.5 million approx).
According to public prosecution records, the 37-year-old Sri Lankan officer, who worked at a company at the free zone of the Dubai International Airport, stole the gem and then sought shelter at a 38-year-old compatriot's room. The latter has been charged with sheltering a fugitive.
Another Sri Lankan, at large, is accused in absentia of aiding and abetting by smuggling the stone out of the UAE via a shipping agency in his name. The first two accused have been placed in detention.
The case unfolded between May 25 and June 20.
The accused confessed he had planned to steal the stone with the runaway accomplice to a police sergeant.
"On May 25, he went to his work wearing a winter coat and took the stone out of the safe and hid it under his coat. He later went to his friend's place in Hor Al Anz where they hid the stone in the latter's shoe. They then arranged to ship it with some clothes out of the UAE by express service."
The sergeant told the prosecutor that the second accused travelled back home after smuggling the stone in his name.
"The main accused spent the next nights sleeping near the Sharjah International Airport as his work managers were calling him and asking him about the diamond. He was told by his accomplice to hide at the second defendant's place. However, both men were caught shortly later," the police sergeant said.
The second defendant claimed he hosted his friend after the latter told him he was being sought after by the police in connection with bounced cheques. He confessed they were looking for ways to help him sneak out through Oman.
A Jordanian manager, 37, alerted the company about the missing stone. He was resigning and had to present an inventory of the items that were kept in the safe while he was on the job on May 28. He discovered that the bag in which the stone box was kept had been cut.
The CID officers checked the surveillance cameras which captured the security officer entering the safe room and looking suspicious as he wore the coat even though it was hot then. He was also caught on cameras stealing the gem.
More than half of the Philippines' provinces are in drought as El Nino exacerbates hot and dry conditions typical for March, April and May
asia2 hours ago
Court opened investigation into Sanchez's wife in response to a complaint by anti-corruption pressure group, whose leader is linked to the far right
europe2 hours ago
Chang'e-6 to return with soil samples from moon's far side; the mission expected to last 53 days
asia3 hours ago
The breed, prized for profitability and an ability to adapt to climate change, garners celebrity status in the Central Asian country
asia3 hours ago
Thousands of schools have suspended classes due to the heat, affecting more than 3.6 million students, education ministry data shows
asia3 hours ago
Despite the growing market share of domestic automakers, Teslas remain among the best-selling EVs in the Asian country
auto3 hours ago
The entire plan will see cow-breeding and poultry projects come up near the massive wheat farm and the dairy farm will form the third phase
uae3 hours ago
Modi, 73, remains resoundingly popular after a decade in office, and he is widely expected to win a third term
asia3 hours ago