Court upholds sentence for drug abuse

Dubai: The Dubai Appeals Court on Sunday upheld four-years' imprisonment for an Emirati girl for consuming drugs, although she maintained that her ex-husband coerced her into smoking hashish.

Presiding Judge Eisa Al Sharif confirmed the primary judgment [four years in jail] after he found the 24-year-old student, F.K., guilty of consuming drugs.

She pleaded not guilty while her lawyer Jasem Al Naqbi said: "She was earlier beaten and forced by her ex-husband who forcibly gave her abortion pills. When she complained to the police, her divorcee made her smoke a hashish cigarette before he maliciously informed the police."

The judgement is subject to appeal within 30 days before the Cassation Court.