Man who blamed coffee for outbursts against UAE leaders jailed for three years

The defendant previously blamed his outbursts at his place of work on anger issues, family problems and drinking too much coffee.

ABU DHABI // A man has been jailed for repeatedly making insulting remarks about the UAE royal family at his place of work.

On Monday, the Federal Supreme Court sentenced Eyad Shaker, 48, an Emirati, to three years in jail.

The defendant previously blamed his outbursts on anger issues, family problems and drinking too much coffee.

He also said he does not remember insulting the President or Vice President of the country, although he admitted he might have the insulted the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

Shaker also insisted his outbursts were only verbal, and no written or visual evidence was found.