UAE jails Pakistani for Holy Quran drugs haul: Report
The 30-year-old man, identified only by his initials MT, was convicted of possessing 24 kilogrammes of heroin that was stashed in five bags with hidden compartments, the Gulf News daily said.
"When we opened the bags, we found prayer mats, prayer beads and copies of the Holy Quran along with food and the drugs," a Dubai International Airport customs inspector was quoted as saying.
The defendant was fined $54,500 and will be deported after serving his sentence, the report said.
He has 15 days to appeal the ruling by the Dubai court of first instance.
Dubai, one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, has strict drug laws.
Trafficking in illegal narcotics is punishable by death, although the sentences are often commuted to life imprisonment.
Drug possession without the intent to "promote" the narcotics carries lighter penalties.
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@Azi: Brother, firstly, Noble prize is a western award, not a global. Secondly, a hero and villian should always be determined by respective countries not by an organization or any award. Thirdly, west doesn't determine the majority of world's population, though they are developed and control media and information, but that doesn't determine they should be given the global control. So please, instead of imposing Malala on Pakistani brains, we should decided once for all our heroes and villians and move on. We see thousands of people reaching west, exploring their lucks, some reach at the top, some fail, some get deported, some get accepted, some get asylum, some do paper marriage, some do smuggling, some start preaching Islam, it will go on and on as we have been unable to focus on our own problems, priorities and foes in comparison to the rest of Muslim and Non-Muslim countries..... So whoever thinks, West (Might) is right, Malala would be hero, VERY SIMPLE ..... Lolz
@Azi: Im Pakistani and I can only encourage you to broaden your mind and stop thinking that everything is a sazish. Only you smell a rat; im afraid the rat was caught smuggling drugs. And please dont use your "few ignorant" line on a fellow Pakistani; we are well aware of who supports Malala and to what extent.
@Rambo:
You know, some of us have a real problem. People only recognize a person "they wanted" to reach the top of the world. They are never happy with the good deeds of the others. Now Malalah reached the top of the awards list and world because of current situation in the world. The world believes, that Muslim countries dont allow education and same rights to women, a stereotype that now our eastern neighbors are going to abuse further even knowing well how women are treated in their nation.
World is filled with unsung heros. Yes Edhi is indeed a great man indeed. So is a Norwegian doctor who treated Palestinians during Israeli offensive and is still there. Both got no recognition and its sad. But thats how the world works, i.e. what currently is a pressing issue. BUT that is not a reason to dis one of your own. Many people in her position would have stopped their struggle after taking a bullet to the head for avoid further attempts on life.
What we can do is recognize our own heros properly and eventually their name and fame will make it to the world.
@Azi: I am a Pakistani and I don't understand how Malala reached to the top of the world so quickly. Thousands of children die in Palestine but no one bothers including us. I seriously think it was a setup. Not by Malala but by her father and Company. Why did not Edhi Sahab get a noble price his whole life. He runs the largest Ambulance service in the world (mentioned in Guinness world record). Looking forward, I can put the past behind me, and advise Malala to work for the release of Afia Siddique. That can be a real move from her.
@Ruff:
Who is "they"? Do a few ignorant people speak for whole Pakistan? We, majority are happy and proud of Malalah so please stop playing that card. If you are an Indian, we know how much respect you gave to Malalah, in your mattress adds. No idea what I'm speaking about? Google it. How does it feel to have one add speak for the whole nation?
I wonder though, all these drug busts in Arab countries. They rarely are able to catch whom (Arab citizens) are being shipped to. I'm sure they actually do catch them but those Arabs get little to no airtime or punishment. Anyone else smell a rat?
And they say Malala is defaming Pakistan.
It would be interesting to see what this guy looks like........until then it would be premature to say ' Yup, I knew it '.
When our leaders find new ways to make money & loot us, our brothers also find new ways to make illegal money.