UAE | Crime
Spanish consul steps in to play translator in court
The lack of a Spanish translator hit the Dubai courts yesterday and made the Spanish Consul play a translator's role when he translated his compatriot's drug charges.
- By Bassam Za'za', Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:41 October 1, 2007
Dubai: The lack of a Spanish translator hit the Dubai courts yesterday and made the Spanish Consul play a translator's role when he translated his compatriot's drug charges.
The Spanish Consul stepped in, took an oath before presiding judge Abdul Majid Al Nezamy and translated the charges of possessing a banned substance for his compatriot, A.T. The Spanish suspect confessed to the charges and pleaded guilty before the Dubai Court of First Instance.
Charges
The Public Prosecution department charged him with possessing 1.09 grams of hashish for personal use.
When A.T. appeared in the dock the judge handed the bill of charges to the translator to read him the charges in English. It then transpired the suspect could not speak English.
A man seated in the second row, stood up and spoke to the judge in Arabic and offered to support the court with a Spanish translator.
"No thank you. We will have to adjourn the case until the Public Prosecution brings in a translator from the Spanish Consulate or Embassy in the UAE," replied presiding judge Al Nezamy.
Thereafter, another man who was wearing a suit and also seated in the second row, stepped in and introduced himself as the Spanish Consul in Dubai.
The judge asked him for an identification card before taking an oath.
The charges were then translated from English, via the court's translator, then to Spanish.
Community Reports
-
Mirror, mirror show me the way
Driver on Salam Street had so many boxes and fruits piled into car, he would not be able to view rear or right side mirrors
-
Parents should be more vigilant
Reader's picture highlights risk of negligence by caretakers
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
Latest news
- Youngsters dance and raise cash for charity
- Dubai departments upgrade services
- Get yourself a free test for diabetes
- Ensuring a safety net for intellectual property
- Reader's issue addressed
- 5,552 illegals held in Dubai this year
- Man cleared because he took drugs in France
- Man charged with trafficking women
- Auditors to probe Mizin graft case
- Transfusion centre launches new toll free number
- Mirror, mirror show me the way
- Last minute ID rush is on
- Breaking down cultural barriers with photographs
- Car seats for children: Unsafe at any speed
- Abu Dhabi Crown Prince visits Islamic centre
