DUBAI // Three men convicted of armed robbery must complete their jail sentences, Dubai Court of Appeal ruled on Sunday.
The three were part of a six-member gang that was found guilty by Dubai Criminal Court last May of stealing a safe containing Dh60,000 from a fabrics store in the Naif neighbourhood of the city on November 21 last year.
At the criminal court H A, 32, from Afghanistan, denied the charge only to confess moments later and tell the judge that the safe contained only Dh22,000.
His compatriots A K, 41, S A, 41, A K K, 28, M M, 36, and Pakistani S K, 27, all denied the charge.
Prosecutors said the men broke into the shop and used a chainsaw to try to break into the safe before fleeing the scene with it.
Store owner M R K, also from Afghanistan, told prosecutors that the men stole Dh60,000 as well as passports and several trade and work licences that were inside the safe.
Police were able to identify the gang using CCTV footage from inside the store and the surrounding area.
Of the six robbers sentenced, three appealed against the verdict, but lost their case.
They will be deported after completing their jail terms.
salamir@thenational.ae
