Dubai student denies offering bribe to cops

Dubai: A student has denied offering a Dh10,000 bribe to two police lieutenants in order not to open a drunk driving case against his girlfriend following an accident.

Prosecutors accused the 23-year-old Indian student of offering a bribe to two police lieutenants — Dh5,000 each, in order not to open a traffic case against his compatriot girlfriend and refer her to the traffic court.

The student, M.Q., on Thursday pleaded not guilty to the charge when he appeared before the Dubai Court of First Instance.

According to the charge sheet, prosecutors accused M.Q. of trying to pay off the two Emirati lieutenants so as to not open a traffic case against his girlfriend, accusing her of drunk driving and causing a car to be destroyed by fire.

Relative

One of the lieutenants testified the alleged bribery incident happened after Dubai Police's Operation Room was informed that a woman, who was believed to be driving under the influence of liquor, had created an accident and caused a car to burn.

"When she was brought to Bur Dubai Police Station, the breath inhaler test exposed that she was drunk… I directed that a traffic case be opened up against her.

"Thereafter, M.Q. walked up to me and offered to pay me and my colleague Dh5,000 each if we did not refer his girlfriend to the traffic court. Then he phoned his relative and asked him to bring the money… then we arrested him," the lieutenant said.

The suspect was quoted, in his prosecution statement, admitting that his girlfriend had driven under the influence. He also confessed, according to records, that he offered the bribe to save her from getting into trouble.

The trial continues.