ABU DHABI // Four men convicted of selling three prostitutes to undercover policemen for Dh135,000 could not have done so because the women "are not that attractive", a defence lawyer claimed today.
The men were arrested in a sting operation shortly after one of them met the undercover officers in a hotel room and received the payment, heard the Appeals Court. Prosecutors say the men sold each woman for Dh45,000 each and intended to give each of the prostitutes Dh5,000 from the proceeds.
But yesterday the lawyer for EF, the man accused of meeting the officers, said that he appeared to have been framed.
"Seems like CID tricked the men into the deal by tempting them with a lot of cash," said Fayza Moussa, adding: "Why would anyone pay Dh45,000 for each of these women, they are not even that attractive?"
Ms Moussa said her client had been duped into collected the money from the officers. She said he had met another man, SS, in the hotel lobby on the day of the incident and agreed to go to a room to collect some money for him in exchange for a commission. He was not told what the money was for.
He arrived at the room at the same time as three women and they all entered the room together, but he "had nothing to do with them" and didn't know what was going on, insisted the lawyer.
Previously the Criminal Court found four men - the Egyptians EF, MA, SS and Syrian BM - guilty of enhancing prostitution and three Moroccan women - LR, NS and KL - guilty of prostitution.
However, in front of the Appeals Court, all seven denied the charges and claimed they did not even know one another.
Ms Moussa demanded access to her client's mobile phone records in the week leading to the arrests, saying these would prove his innocence. "If he knew the other three men or made any deals with them this must show in the phone records," she said.
The judge dismissed her request, but she insisted: "For him to have a hand in the crime he should have communicated with them, he either lived with them and therefore did not require to call them, or there must be a link by phone."
At this point the three women became vocal and demanded records for their phones too, insisting they did not know any of the other defendants either.
EF's wife requested for bail.
"We do not accept bail for such crimes," said the judge.
He adjourned the case until September 22.
hdajani@thenational.ae
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The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
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Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
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Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
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Company: Idealz
Founded: January 2018
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Sector: E-commerce
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