ABU DHABI // Two men who were convicted after making a Dh250,000 drug deal with undercover police have appealed against their sentences.
F M, a Yemeni, was given the death sentence by the Criminal Court for drug dealing while A H A, a Saudi, was sentenced to four years followed by deportation for consuming and possessing hashish.
The pair and a third man, A M, an Emirati, were arrested in a drug sting at Baniyas park.
The Criminal Court heard how the men were caught after F M had made a deal with police to meet in the park. They were in an undercover car and made the exchange.
F M went back to his car, where the other men were waiting, and they started counting the money. Police arrested them at the scene.
F M and A H A told the court that they were selling clothes, not drugs, to the police. “What kind of clothes cost Dh250,000?” said the public prosecutor.
The men also claimed they had been tortured to confess and forensic reports proved blood found on their prison uniforms belonged to them.
A M said he was giving the other men directions to the park and denied any part in the drug deal.
The appeal hearing was moved to September 17 so the court could appoint a lawyer for F M.
Under UAE law, any defendant facing charges that could lead to a death or life sentence must have a defence attorney appointed by the court.
A M, who had been sentenced to 12 months for consuming psychotropic substances, was not present because he had already served his jail term.
hdajani@thenational.ae
