Thursday, July 13, 2006

PS to Dallas Austin's pardon...

Iranian couple acquitted of possessing illegal substances

By Bassam Za'za', Staff Reporter

Dubai: A middle-aged couple detained for seven months while on a holiday in Dubai were acquitted on Wednesday of possessing drugs containing illegal substances.

The Dubai Court of First Instance acquitted the Iranian couple - H.J. and M.A. - for lack of evidence.

Dubai Public Prosecution charged the suspects with smuggling and possessing drugs for personal use.

Police said the Iranians arrived at Dubai International Airport in December.
Customs inspectors found several pills and a syrup containing banned substances in their possession.


Earlier, the suspects' lawyer told the court that the drugs were prescribed by doctors in Iran.
"They came here on a seven-day vacation. They were detained for around seven months before they were bailed out, after we submitted their medical prescriptions to the court."


"Both my clients are over 50 years of age. H.J. suffers from 10 conditions, including back pain, constant headaches and mental health problems," said the lawyer. M.A. is also a heart patient, he said.

The syrup was a pain-killer which is legally sold in pharmacies, said the lawyer.

The defence lawyer said the actions taken against his clients were illegal.

He accused the customs inspector of violating the Criminal Procedures Law [Article 33] because he "stopped, searched, detained and referred the suspects to the Anti-Narcotics Department at Dubai Police.

"The inspector played the role of a law-enforcement officer which is a violation of the law."

Gulf News

It doesn't need a comment does it.

1 comment:

Keef said...

I think a huge amount of compensation is in order here - maybe Dallas Austin could donate it to them rather than his weasel lawyers!