Abu Dhabi: The Public Prosecution of Abu Dhabi Judicial Department has ordered the arrest of a man who recorded and posted a video mocking an Adnoc petrol station attendant whom he paid in coins.
The video has been widely circulated online and such discriminatory behaviour is a crime as per the law, said prosecutors on Wednesday.
In the video, the young Emirati is heard saying that petrol prices in the country have increased but no worries because the country is providing well. Then he asks the petrol station attendant: “Fill … fill even if it costs Dh500.”
The youth then pays the attendant in coins. “I don’t have [currency notes] of Dh500 … count, count.”
Then the petrol station attendant spills the coins over a side rack and starts counting it. The Emirati told the attendant to take the amount and return the remaining coins to him.
The prosecution concluded that the video violates the anti-discrimination law and asserted that it will confront any practice or behaviour which is against the values and morals of the country.
The action is to set an example in society and preserve the rights of all members of the society by establishing the rule of law and maintaining the ethics and values of society, the prosecution said in a statement.
The Public Prosecution also explained that the country’s laws are clearly defined to prevent behaviour that disrespects other individuals or leads people to abuse or treat others inappropriately. It emphasised that it will firmly counter practices which misuse modern technologies, particularly social media platforms.
The anti-discrimination law announced on July 20, 2015 criminalises any form of discrimination on the basis of religion, caste, creed, doctrine, race, colour or ethnic origin.
Penalties for violation include jail terms of six months to over 10 years and fines from Dh50,000 to Dh2 million.
After the video went viral on social media platforms, a team from Adnoc visited the gas station where this video was shot and met the employee.
“Adnoc Distribution Company’s youth team visited the Adnoc station to ensure the highest standards of customer service following a negative attitude by a young (Emirati) man.
“This came after a video recorded by a young man who did not reflect the Emirati values and the fair behaviour with one of its filling station attendant,” the company said.
The team met their employee to apologise on behalf of the young man.
