Hungarian student who consumed hashish ‘by mistake’ is jailed

DUBAI // A Hungarian student will spend the next four years in jail after being convicted of consuming hashish.

S A, 22, denied a charge of consuming drugs at Dubai Criminal Court last month. His lawyer Saeed Al Ghilani told the court that S A took the drug by mistake.

“He was at a big party and many, many young men and women were there drinking and consuming drugs,” said the lawyer, adding that S A was offered a cigarette by a female friend and that “he took it and smoked it not knowing it contained hashish”.

The lawyer said S A had never even smoked tobacco before attending the party.

S A was arrested on January 7 this year in Jebel Ali after his female friend tipped off police.

“This woman, who offered him the cigarette, was arrested and she was questioned by anti-narcotics officers who asked her to give them the names of everyone who consumed hashish with her,” said the lawyer. “She gave them many names, including his.”

Mr Al Ghilani asked the court to find S A not guilty. However, he was convicted and will be deported after serving his term.