Airport staff jailed for robbing passenger

SHARJAH — The Sharjah Criminal Court has sentenced a female airport security staff to six months in prison for stealing $1,300 (Dh4,775) from a woman passenger’s bag. She will be deported after serving her jail term.

The incident came to light on November 13 last year when the passenger lodged a complaint stating that while travelling to her country, she had put $5,000 inside her bag. At the airport, the accused frisked her and searched her bag. Later, when the passenger checked her bag, she found $1,300 missing from it. The complainant, a businesswoman, said she suspected the employee to be behind the theft.

The victim said she and her husband have been living in the US for years and have travelled many times to the UAE. It was the first time they had faced such a situation, she added. It was also pointed out that the employee had got $1,300 exchanged into dirhams from a money exchange office at the airport terminal. The court heard the testimony of the exchange office staffer, who confirmed that the accused had carried out a transaction of the same amount.

The defence lawyer said his client is known for her honesty and integrity. In her 13 years working at the airport, not a single complaint has been brought against her. He requested the court to refer the case to the misdemeanour court.

The employee is responsible for the security and protection of passengers travelling through the airport and she can never commit such an ignoble act.” Salem bin Sahouh, defence lawyer