A couple have lost their final appeal after being sentenced to a combined 66 years in prison for crimes including forgery, abuse of public funds, bribery, illicit gain and disruption of public utilities.
They were previously fined Dh39m ($10.62 million) by the court and were ordered to pay a similar amount to be distributed among their victims.
Sixteen others, also involved in the crimes and convicted of similar charges, had been sentenced to prison terms between three to 15 years each and fined Dh13m in total.
Selling expired food
An investigation by Abu Dhabi Public Prosecution found that the couple were storing expired food and other consumer goods in private warehouses where they lived, before forging new expiry dates and reselling the items.
They also bribed 16 people to illegally alter public utility installations, including by adding unauthorised water and electricity connections to supply lines.
Prosecutors said the couple fixed an unauthorised water pipe to a farm's main water supply pipe, also without installing a meter.
With its water diverted, the farm's property was damaged and its customers and activities affected.
The couple also tampered with electrical systems, causing short circuits and disruption of supply, while endangering public safety.
The Abu Dhabi Court of Cassation upheld the sentences that were initially issued by a lower court.
The couple's crimes were discovered when reports were lodged by various departments, leading to 12 cases against them and their associates.
The court also found evidence that the group tried to seize public land and disrupt vehicles by merging two farms together.
Judges were told that the couple forged official documents and electronic files to carry out the offences.
The couple have now exhausted all attempts at appealing the decision and will have to serve their sentences.
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Profile
Company name: Jaib
Started: January 2018
Co-founders: Fouad Jeryes and Sinan Taifour
Based: Jordan
Sector: FinTech
Total transactions: over $800,000 since January, 2018
Investors in Jaib's mother company Alpha Apps: Aramex and 500 Startups
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
