DUBAI // A policeman demanded cash and alcohol from a bootlegger and pimp in return for not arresting him, the Criminal Court heard on Sunday.
The court was told that Iranian policeman J M, 34, accepted Dh7,000 a month plus 90 bottles of alcohol as bribes between 2011 and 2013. Prosecutors said that A W, 32, a Bangladeshi, was an illegal resident who ran a bootlegging and prostitution ring.
As well as accepting the payments from A W, J M took bribes from three other bootleggers, the court heard.
A W told prosecutors that in 2011 the defendant had approached him and said he knew about his illegal activities. “He was wearing his uniform and then slapped me in the face, pulled me by my shirt and threatened to take me to the police station,” A W said. “He then asked me for Dh500 a week in return for not arresting me.”
He said that he paid him the weekly amount, which eventually rose to Dh7,000 a month.
About four weeks later, J M demanded that A W take him to a brothel and pay for him to have sex with a prostitute.
“I found out later from the man who ran the brothel that he was also paying money to J M to keep quiet about his business activities,” A W testified.
Police organised a sting operation in which they observed J M taking money from A W.
The defendant did not enter a plea and the next hearing is on September 21.
salamir@thenational.ae
