ABU DHABI // An army sergeant who was sacked for taking marijuana must pay back the money the Armed Forces spent on his scholarship in Britain, a court has ruled.
On Monday, the Federal Supreme Court ruled that the Emirati man had to return Dh430,823 after he was convicted of consuming the drug.
The Court of First Instance made the initial ruling, basing it on Decision 20 from the Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces that states any member of the Armed Forces must pay back the costs of training if they break the terms of their contract.
He then appealed, but the Appeals Court upheld the verdict. He then cassated the case to the Federal Supreme Court.
His lawyer argued that his client had not yet reached 18 years old when he was dismissed, so the terms and conditions of the contract he signed were invalid.
The court disagreed, because the age of service for the Armed Forces is 16. This was a suitable age for recruitment and so, by law, he was obliged to adhere to all the rules and regulations.
hdajani@thenational.ae
