DUBAI // A policeman demanded cash and alcohol from a bootlegger and pimp in return for not arresting him, the Criminal Court heard on Sunday.
The court was told that Iranian policeman J M, 34, accepted Dh7,000 a month plus 90 bottles of alcohol as bribes between 2011 and 2013. Prosecutors said that A W, 32, a Bangladeshi, was an illegal resident who ran a bootlegging and prostitution ring.
As well as accepting the payments from A W, J M took bribes from three other bootleggers, the court heard.
A W told prosecutors that in 2011 the defendant had approached him and said he knew about his illegal activities. “He was wearing his uniform and then slapped me in the face, pulled me by my shirt and threatened to take me to the police station,” A W said. “He then asked me for Dh500 a week in return for not arresting me.”
He said that he paid him the weekly amount, which eventually rose to Dh7,000 a month.
About four weeks later, J M demanded that A W take him to a brothel and pay for him to have sex with a prostitute.
“I found out later from the man who ran the brothel that he was also paying money to J M to keep quiet about his business activities,” A W testified.
Police organised a sting operation in which they observed J M taking money from A W.
The defendant did not enter a plea and the next hearing is on September 21.
salamir@thenational.ae
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
The biog
From: Upper Egypt
Age: 78
Family: a daughter in Egypt; a son in Dubai and his wife, Nabila
Favourite Abu Dhabi activity: walking near to Emirates Palace
Favourite building in Abu Dhabi: Emirates Palace
What is Diwali?
The Hindu festival is at once a celebration of the autumn harvest and the triumph of good over evil, as outlined in the Ramayana.
According to the Sanskrit epic, penned by the sage Valmiki, Diwali marks the time that the exiled king Rama – a mortal with superhuman powers – returned home to the city of Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, after vanquishing the 10-headed demon Ravana and conquering his kingdom of Lanka. The people of Ayodhya are believed to have lit thousands of earthen lamps to illuminate the city and to guide the royal family home.
In its current iteration, Diwali is celebrated with a puja to welcome the goodness of prosperity Lakshmi (an incarnation of Sita) into the home, which is decorated with diyas (oil lamps) or fairy lights and rangoli designs with coloured powder. Fireworks light up the sky in some parts of the word, and sweetmeats are made (or bought) by most households. It is customary to get new clothes stitched, and visit friends and family to exchange gifts and greetings.
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
