DUBAI // A police officer jailed for abusing his position has had his sentence overturned by the Dubai Court of Appeal.
The 25-year-old from Saudi Arabia, who worked at Al Qusais Police Station, was convicted by the criminal court last May of detaining a person and extorting money, while his 22-year-old Indian friend was found guilty of aiding and abetting.
The court was told that the Indian and his father paid a compatriot Dh105,000 as down payment for a shop he was selling.
The 39-year-old owner said the father and son then changed their mind and demanded that he return the cash.
“I informed them once I sold the shop I would repay them,” said the victim, who received a call a week later from the officer asking him to report to the station.
The victim said the policeman told him he must repay the money, but when he explained he had no cash, the officer locked him in a cell.
“One hour later he asked me again when I was going to pay, but when I said I had no money he told me to write a cheque,” said the owner.
The next day he told another policeman what had happened and he was advised to make a complaint.
Both men were sentenced to three months in jail. However, the officer appealed and was acquitted of all charges. The Indian did not appeal.
salamir@thenational.ae
