Dubai: A 24-year-old German stewardess broke into tears when she heard a judge yesterday releasing her on bail in a case of consuming drugs following five months in detention.

The stewardess covered her tearful face and eyes with her palms and crouched a little bit as she joyfully reacted to the Dubai Court of First Instance's Presiding Judge Hamad Abdul Latif Abdul Jawad's decision.

Appearing as though she would faint out of shock and happiness, a policewoman was spotted rushing to the middle of courtroom four to hold 24-year-old A.E. and help her regain her balance.

"For the suspect to be released immediately, she will have to place her passport and Dh10,000 in financial bond in the court's possession," said the judge.

The court bailed out the suspect following her lawyer Salem Al Sha'ali's argument that A.E. did not know that the sweets, which she was offered by an Indian man, contained hashish.

Al Sha'ali further cross-examined three anti-drugs police officers, who stated during yesterday's hearing that A.E. claimed to them that she was offered a sweet that contained drugs.

Advocate Al Sha'ali paid the financial bond so that his client is released immediately after the court hearing. A.E. was released towards noon following five months in detention.

"I am not guilty… I didn't take drugs voluntarily. It happened beyond my willpower and control," argued the stewardess when she firmly denied consuming drugs.

Blood test

"My client is a claimant and not a defendant in this case. She is the one who reported to the police that she was drugged. She met friends at a hotel where the Indian person offered her sweets. She felt dizzy and uncomfortable immediately after she ate the sweet," defended Al Sha'ali.

The lawyer deliberated that his client was feeling normal before taking the sweet.

"Doctors informed her that tetra hydro canabenol appeared in her blood tests. She became hysterical and reported to the police what the Indian man did to her. She cooperated with the police and the Indian suspect was arrested in a sting operation. He was referred to court where he was punished and deported. All witnesses and law enforcement officers confirmed that she was the one who reported the matter to the police," argued Al Sha'ali.

Meanwhile forensic doctors also confirmed that the drugs which appeared in her blood could have resulted from the sweet she ate.

The trial continues.