DUBAI // A policeman who was given a jail sentence for posting a video of himself on social media holding the passport of footballer Lionel Messi has been released by the Dubai Court of Appeal.
On February 1 this year, the Emirati, 24, was sentenced to a month in prison by the Dubai Misdemeanours Court.
His lawyer appealed against the verdict, telling judges his client should be acquitted as the clip caused no harm to the Barcelona and Argentina star.
Abdul Moniem bin Suwaidan argued that the officer had permission from Messi’s business manager to make the video on December 27 last year at Dubai Airport’s private jet area.
The officer was detained for 21 days, suspended from work and charged with breaching the player’s privacy, to which he confessed.
He never began his jail term as he was awaiting the verdict of the appeal.
Mr bin Suwaidan requested that the policeman be acquitted because the charge “lacks all elements of assault”.
“It is similar to the case of the two men who took a picture of themselves near the Address hotel when it went up in flames, but prosecutors dismissed charges saying it caused harm to no one – and my client also caused harm to no one. Even Messi. Did he even see the video or expressed being offended by it?” said the lawyer.
salamir@thenational.ae
