Seven women accused of prostitution have been released after procedural errors by police forced prosecutors to drop the charges.
The Chinese women were interrogated by officers after their arrest, but the law states the initial interview should be by the public prosecution.
“You do not deserve this acquittal, but policemen’s mistake in procedures pushed the court to take this decision to acquit you all, even though [there is evidence] to convict you of the charges,” said Chief Justice Sayed Abdul Baseer, head of Abu Dhabi Criminal Court, on Thursday.
The judge has warned police in the past to be wary of overstepping their authority when interviewing people under arrest.
hdajani@thenational.ae
