Prisoner who bribed Sharjah policeman gets six months for escape

On August 30, 2015, an Emirati officer was transporting a 52-year-old Indian to Dubai when he begged to be set free.

DUBAI // A prisoner who escaped custody after paying a Sharjah police officer a Dh3,000 bribe was sentenced to six months for fleeing detention.

The prisoner was convicted last week for escaping detention and was acquitted of aiding, abetting and offering a bribe to the Emirati officer who accompanied him.

On August 30, 2015, an Emirati officer was transporting the 52-year-old Indian in Dubai when the prisoner begged to be set free.

The policeman agreed but asked for Dh3,000 in return. The detainee called his son and arranged for the cash to be handed over.

“The police officer met with the son and another man at an Enoc petrol station in Dubai, took the cash then released him,” prosecutors told the court.

“It wasn’t me who paid him the money, it was someone else your honour and I plead for your mercy,” the Indian defendant said to the judge at Dubai Criminal Court.

The officer was arrested when the prisoner handed himself in a few days after his escape. He had spent Dh2,000 of the bribe while the rest was confiscated.

He was convicted of taking a bribe and releasing a detainee and sentenced to three years in jail. He was also dismissed from his job and was fined Dh3,000.

It was not stated in the records why the Indian was originally in custody and how much time he has served in prison.