Allied Joint Forces official pleads not guilty to swearing at airport policeman

Dubai: An Australian official in the Allied Joint Forces Command in Afghanistan pleaded not guilty in court  Wednesday where he denied slandering and dishonouring an airport policeman.

"I am not guilty," said the 32-year-old Australian, S.M., before the Dubai Misdemeanours Court.

His lawyer Nasser Hashim, of Al Kamaly Advocates, told the presiding judge, Abdullah Khlaif Abu Zaid: "My client flew in to Dubai coming on a long flight from Afghanistan, where he works as a medical supplies officer with the Allied Joint Forces Command…he came here in transit and was heading to London. He headed to the ATM machines at the arrivals hall when the policeman intercepted his way…my client didn't intend to dishonour or swear at the policeman. Besides, the policeman gave an inconsistent statement."

Prosecutors charged the Australian, who also worked as a medical officer in the multi-national force in Iraq in 2006, with cursing at the policeman, H.R., and calling him "bad names".

Apology

Hashim told Judge Abu Zaid: "Your honour, the suspect is an honourable man. He didn't have any criminal intent. Meanwhile, the Australian Consulate in Dubai issued an apology letter in which it expressed its respect and appreciation to Dubai police and its staff …"

Hashim submitted a copy of that letter to the jury in courtroom five.

S.M. testified: "I arrived from Afghanistan at 8.15pm. When I headed to the ATM machines, a man in a blue uniform blocked my way. He said no and then I said ‘what the F…'

Tired

"Then they took me to the police station. I did what I did because I was fatigued, [tense] and pressured following a tiring flight. I was unaware that the arrivals hall was a restricted zone."

"He [the suspect] just said he wanted to go into the arrivals hall without saying why. I told him he needed permission. Then he asked me about my supervisor before swearing in front others. He cursed me and called [me] bad names," alleged the policeman in his statement before prosecutors.

During Wednesday's hearing, Hashim said: "The evidence submitted against S.M. is unfounded. The policeman gave an inconsistent statement when he was questioned by the Police and Public Prosecution. My client suffered...a long and tiring flight and he didn't mean to slander the claimant."

Hashim will present his written defence within a few days to Judge Abu Zaid who will give his judgment next week.

Bail

The suspect is on bail and his passport has been confiscated until this case concludes.

Police records said the suspect denied the charges and claimed that H.R. had grabbed his hand forcefully and that he hadn't realised H.R. was a policeman because he hadn't present his identification card.