Three convicted of swindling in UAE grain deal

Dubai: Three executives face three years in jail each for swindling an import-export firm and a general trading company, and requesting bribes to execute 16 deals for selling sesame seeds and rice worth more than Dh575 million.

The Dubai Court of First Instance on Monday convicted the defendants, S.N. a 33-year-old Pakistani sales manager, and two Iranians — 30-year-old manager M.J. and a 27-year-old sales executive H.A.

Presiding Judge Hamad Abdul Latif Abdul Jawad fined the sales manager Dh780,000, the amount he had asked as a bribe. The other two face fines of Dh650,000.

Acquitted of forgery

"The three accused will be deported after serving their punishments. The court has also referred the claimant in civil right's lawsuit to the Dubai Civil Court," the judge said.

The trio were acquitted of forging documents for the 16 deals. They were also cleared of illegally obtaining the signature of the company's vice-president on purchase orders.

The court also acquitted them of attempting to embezzle Dh348 million worth of rice supply.

The firm's advocate lodged a civil suit against the defendants and is claiming Dh97 million in compensation.

The defendants pleaded not guilt and denied their accusations.

Prosecutors said S.N. and H.A. requested Dh780,000 and Dh724,000 in bribes, respectively for using their positions [in the import-export firm] to have the 16 false contracts worth Dh573 million signed.