Pair jailed for bribery over luggage weight

Abu Dhabi: A man was charged with bribery for offering Dh200 to a check-in staff member who refused to allow the passenger’s bag on board the flight for its excessive weight, the Abu Dhabi Criminal Court said on Wednesday.

The staff member was also charged with receiving the bribe and the pair has been sentenced to three months in prison and deportation after completing their jail terms.

Initially, the Airport staff member had refused to allow the passenger to take his bag on board the airplane as it exceeded the maximum allowed weight of carry-on luggage.

The defendant however denied taking the bribe and claimed that the passenger had placed it inside his pocket without his knowledge. On the other hand, the passenger claimed that he was merely paying fee for taking his luggage which exceeded the maximum allowed weight limit.