Woman jailed in UAE on drug charges claims she did it to 'kill stress'

Abu Dhabi - The 24-year-old woman says mother's death drove her into addiction.

An Abu Dhabi woman convicted of consuming drugs claims that the psychological problems she suffered after her mother's death prompted her into becoming an addict.
The 24-year-old Emirati woman, who is on trial at Abu Dhabi Appeals Court had admitted to the charge of consuming crystal meth.

She told judge during her latest hearing on Thursday that she suffered from psychological problems since the death of her mother last year, which forced her to consume drugs. The woman said she wanted to kill the stress.

The Abu Dhabi Criminal Court of First Instance had earlier sentenced her to spend some time in jail after she was found guilty of consuming drugs. She challenged the ruling to the appeal court.

And on Thursday, a court tribunal for mercy and leniency asked court to be lenient on the young woman and give her a lighter sentence.

The officials requested that the woman be sentenced to electronic tagging instead of jail.

The trial was adjourned until Wednesday next week.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi