British drug convict in Dubai escapes death penalty

  DUBAI – A 54-year-old British man convicted of drug dealing in Dubai has escaped the death penalty after the top court in Abu Dhabi revoked his death sentence. The Abu Dhabi Federal Supreme Court has ordered a retrial with a new panel of judges. The case was tried in Abu Dhabi because it involved a drug trafficking charge. The Briton, who worked as a mechanic, had sold heroin worth Dh125,000 to an undercover policeman in Dubai's Naif area in 2018 but denied the charge of drug possession with intent to sell. His lawyer told judges that the Briton was only a victim of circumstance and that his “need for money was taken advantage of by other men”. He was given a death sentence by the Abu Dhabi Criminal Court, which was also upheld by the appeal court. However, the ruling was revoked by the top court. The Briton had testified that when he was stranded in Oman, his friend offered him a “one-time job” in Dubai in return for payment of more than Dh3,500. The Briton said he needed the money to buy a return ticket to the UK for surgery, so he took a bus to Dubai where he met a Pakistani man who gave him money and a package. The Briton and the 45-year-old Pakistani man were arrested the next day after an undercover Dubai policeman bought the 2kg heroin from the Briton. In court, the British defendant said he “never dealt in drugs” and that the incident was his first time. “I only did it because I needed the money,” the British defendant said. Dubai Police also arrested two Iranians who supplied the drugs to the Pakistani man. All four men were charged with drug possession with intent to sell. The Pakistani defendants were also handed the death penalty by the Abu Dhabi Criminal Court, while the Iranian duo were cleared of the charge. ICA/Expat Media
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