A Serbian man was sentenced to 10 years in jail in Dubai for the Dh14.7 million Wafi jewellery smash-and-grab heist while his compatriot was acquitted Sunday.
Nicola S., 33 a Serbian company proprietor, was sentenced to a 10-year jail term for aiding and abetting the robbery dubbed as the emirate's most daring robbery by Dubai chief of police last year.
The second defendant, Milan M., 52, a Serbian visitor, is set to walk free today as the court has acquitted him of the charge of possession of stolen items and is expected to be released form Al Refaa police station.
The duo pleaded not guilty to the charges and have been held in custody since their arrest on April 28 last year.
Defence lawyers Ali Al Shamsy and Abdul Rahman Hussein, who represent Nicola and Milan, have cited irregularities with the police investigation in an earlier hearing.
Nicola is expected to appeal the verdict within 15 days. The appeal is expected to be heard with in the next 45 days, according to legal sources close to Al Shamsy's office.
Mirko Taucic, Consul of the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Cairo, stated that they have been following up the case but is still awaiting feedback from the legal representatives of the defendants.
“We closely follow the affairs of Serbian citizens in the United Arab Emirates amongst other countries in the Middle East, but we have not yet received any information from the lawyers appointed to help their case. We will consult with them before taking any further steps,'' said Taucic.
According to prosecution records, the total value of the stolen jewellery is Dh14.7 million. The stolen items include 45 pieces of jewellery – with five watches with a total street price of Dh45 million.
Dubai Police, meanwhile, has requested an Interpol arrest warrant for four other suspects -- Dragan N., Marino M., Nicola Z., and female Buja M. – who have been linked to the crime.
