ABU DHABI // A man who was fined Dh50,000 for harassing two sheikhs with text messages is stuck in jail because he cannot pay, a court heard yesterday.
EA, a teacher from Egypt, asked the Appeals Court to free him, arguing that he needed to earn money if he was to pay the fine.
“I’m a teacher and the school year has begun. I am unable to work and I will not be able to pay the fine,” he told the judge.
He was jailed after being unable to pay the fine imposed by the Criminal Court, which found him guilty of harassment.
But he told the Appeals Court there had been a mix-up in the information provided to the judge.
“I taught them for nine years and I respect the boundaries of my job,” he said. “There is no way I would bother them in this way.
“I only sent text messages for Ramadan as a greeting for the holy month, which is normal.”
But he admitted sending other texts to the sheikhs complaining about another man in their service.
“I sent messages explaining some of the circumstances that I have gone through because of that man,” he said.
The case was adjourned to September 9.
aalkhoori@thenational.ae
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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