DUBAI // A policeman who took Dh30,000 in bribes to cancel fines issued to people who overstayed their residence visas has been sentenced to three years in jail.
The 35-year-old Emirati was convicted of accepting bribes from nine people for whom he issued departure permits.
The four Bangladeshis, two Indians and three Pakistanis were convicted, in their absence, of offering a bribe and sentenced to three years in jail each to be followed by deportation. They were also fined Dh500,000 each and ordered to repay the losses each caused the General Department of Naturalisation and Residency Dubai. The amounts varied between Dh200 and Dh203,300.
The officer, who cancelled fines worth more than Dh445,000, was also fined Dh975,700 and ordered to repay Dh445,700 to the GDNRD.
A Bangladeshi man was also found guilty of mediating in return for Dh500 and was sentenced to three years in jail and deportation.
salamir@thenational.ae
