DUBAI // A Hungarian student has lost his appeal against a four-year prison sentence for consuming hashish.
The 22-year-old denied a charge of drug consumption when he appeared in Dubai Criminal and Appeal Courts.
Lawyer Saeed Al Ghilani said his client took the drug by mistake while he was at a party.
“Many young men and women were at the party drinking and consuming drugs,” said the lawyer, adding that he was offered a cigarette by a female friend and “took it and smoked it not knowing it contained hashish”.
The lawyer said the student had never even smoked tobacco before the party.
He was arrested on January 7 this year in Jebel Ali after the 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.”
The student will be deported after serving his prison term.
salamir@thenational.ae