ABU DHABI // A woman accused of prostitution argued at the Abu Dhabi criminal court that she is a “peasant and does not know these things”.
SA, from Egypt, was caught on film entering hotel rooms for prostitution purposes, prosecutors said. However, she was never arrested. The criminal court earlier sentenced her in absentia to three years in prison and deportation.
The woman turned herself in to the court and presented an objection to the verdict. Anyone sentenced in absentia has that right and is granted a retrial.
SA told the court that she came to the UAE to look for a job. She said she met another woman at a cafe who later became her roommate. She said the roommate had twisted ways and was herself involved in prostitution.
The chief justice, Sayed Abdul Baseer, asked the woman: “You look for jobs in coffee shops?”
The woman replied:”I came to the country to look for a job, and I’m a peasant. I don’t know any of the things you say I did.”
The judge said: “They have you on video, do you want us to play the CD?”
The woman said the video that shows her in the hotel was taken during a birthday party.
The judge argued that if she were so innocent why was she drinking and laughing with strange men.
“I’m a tourist here. I have the right to go to hotels and drink and party,” the defendant said.
She added that she left the apartment she was sharing with the roommate after the woman’s cousin told her that “her path is not good”.
“I immediately left them and even left three weeks of rent.”
The judge challenged her.
“You say you are a peasant and so innocent and came looking for a job, then where did you get the money every time you bring a different lawyer with you? Or is it exchange of favours?”
The defendant said her cousin in Egypt sold her gold and sent SA cash.
The case was adjourned to watch the surveillance video in a private session.
hdajani@thenational.ae
If you go
The flights
Emirates (www.emirates.com) and Etihad (www.etihad.com) both fly direct to Bengaluru, with return fares from Dh 1240. From Bengaluru airport, Coorg is a five-hour drive by car.
The hotels
The Tamara (www.thetamara.com) is located inside a working coffee plantation and offers individual villas with sprawling views of the hills (tariff from Dh1,300, including taxes and breakfast).
When to go
Coorg is an all-year destination, with the peak season for travel extending from the cooler months between October and March.
THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Types of bank fraud
1) Phishing
Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
2) Smishing
The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
3) Vishing
The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
4) SIM swap
Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
5) Identity theft
Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
6) Prize scams
Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
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Day 3 stumps
New Zealand 153 & 249
Pakistan 227 & 37-0 (target 176)
Pakistan require another 139 runs with 10 wickets remaining
Match info
Manchester United 1
Fred (18')
Wolves 1
Moutinho (53')
