Aviation company manager who bribed Emirati inspector jailed

DUBAI // An aviation company manager who offered a bribe to an Emirati inspector has been jailed and fined US$50,000 (Dh183,658).

Uzbek A Y was awaiting a licence for his firm when he offered a US$50,000 (Dh183,658) to E A, 40, to have his papers processed quickly.

“I am responsible for inspecting and controlling all work related to licensing aviation companies and then I write a detailed report recommending a licence or not,” said the inspector, who added that he received a call from AY in September last year who introduced himself as the manger of an aviation company identified in court records as B S.

“He told me how his company is paying a lot of money for pilots, employees and other costs while the licence is not issued yet and how this is making the investors in the company pressure him to end this problem to avoid losing all these amounts of money.”

He added that the defendant told him he had US$50,000 that he could have if he helped expedite the process.

“The thing is that his company’s application was in process and meets all requirements,” added the inspector, who told his bosses of the conversation.

The defendant was arrested after placing the money in a bag and handing it to the inspector.

Dubai Criminal Court sentenced A Y to a year in Jail and fined him US$50,000.

He will be deported after completing his sentence.