Youth faces arrest for mocking petrol station attendant
ABU DHABI PUBLIC PROSECUTION ACTS AFTER WATCHING VIDEO POSTED BY ACCUSED ONLINE
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, prosecutors said yesterday.
In the video, the Emirati is heard saying that petrol prices have increased, but there are no worries because the country is providing well. He then tells the petrol station attendant: “Fill … fill, even if it costs Dh500.”
He then pays in coins, saying “I don’t have [currency notes] of Dh500 … count, count.”
As the attendant starts counting the coins, the Emirati tells him to take the amount due and return the remaining coins to him.
Anti-discrimination law
The prosecution concluded that the video violates the antidiscrimination law and asserted that it will curb any practice or behaviour which is against the UAE’s values and morals.
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.
Adnoc team meets worker
After the video went viral on social media platforms, a team from Adnoc visited the fuel station and apologised to the employee on behalf of the man.
“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.