ABU DHABI // Football players accused of filming and posting an offensive video on the internet appealed three month suspended sentences on Monday.
Public prosecution also appealed the acquittal of J, the owner of a website that allegedly posted the video.
The trio were arrested and underwent trial under the cyber crime law at the court of misdemeanour.
Their defence lawyers attended the hearing on Monday, however, none of the defendants were present.
“My client had a surgery recently, and he had an appointment at the hospital today, he is on his way,” said R’s defence attorney, “15 minutes only and he will be here.”
A Q’s lawyer said no one notified his client to attend.
Whereas J’s lawyer said his client was appealed against and therefore he required an adjournment to prepare his defence.
The court warned that if A Q and R, who were issued jail sentences, did not attend, he will order their arrest.
“My client only needs 15 minutes, if you can just hold the case until the end of the hearing.”
The court agreed; “but A Q needs to attend as well,” added the chief justice.
Around 20 minutes later the pair appeared in court, and a hearing was held in the judge’s chambers.
The case was adjourned until December 7.
A Q, R and J were arrested after a video featuring A Q, and allegedly shot by R, went viral on the internet. A Q appeared shirtless and making inappropriate gestures while insulting the national team’s coach Mahdi Al Ali for substituting him during a match.
hdajani@thenational.ae
