ABU DHABI // A man who escaped police custody by hiding in a fridge told a judge he had "simply walked out".
J, from India, was arrested on suspicion of stealing and held in a police station cell in the capital pending his trial.
But while the station's guards were busy distributing food to his fellow detainees he noticed the food hall was empty and hid inside the fridge. He then waited until the coast was clear before walking out of the station and fleeing to Dubai.
His uncle, who lives in the emirate, met him and bought him a plane ticket to India. He was caught trying to board the flight at Dubai International Airport.
"What do you say about all this?" asked Dr Khairi Al Kabbash, head of the court.
"I did not escape, I simply walked out," said the man.
"And this is what we call escaping," replied the judge.
The man was appealing the two-month prison term he received in absentia on the stealing charge. He was also previously sentenced to deportation following his jail term.
The Appeals Court is expected to announce its verdict on September 18.
hdajani@thenational.ae