Dubai cop enters mercy plea in Messi photo row

Dubai - He had 'no criminal intent' when he took selfie with Messi's passport.

The defence attorney of a Dubai policeman, who was sentenced to one month in jail for publicising football icon Lionel Messi's passport details, has entered a mercy plea on behalf of his client.
The 26-year-old Emirati sergeant's lawyer Abdelmonem Suwaidan appealed the judicial authority at Dubai Court of Appeals to overturn the charges levelled against his client, on grounds of lack of criminal intentions.
The Public Prosecution has accused the cop of breaching other's privacy, a punishable offence under the purview of the law for shooting a video clip at Dubai Airport.
The Court of Misdemeanours in Dubai had sentenced the suspect in January to a month in jail for breaching the privacy of the football star.
The attorney demanded the cop's acquittal citing an order from the Public Prosecution, which dismissed a case against two young men who took a selfie with burning Dubai Address Hotel in background.
The lawyer argued if they could be acquitted for not having criminal intention, why can't his client 'who messed up with Messi's passport' be free of charges. In his defense, Suwaidan also said: "My client had posted the video clip online while Messi was in the UAE, and the concerned authorities did not arrest him. He was arrested when the footballer wrapped off his visit, which deprived my client a chance to have testimonies of Messi and his manager." The lawyer also pointed out that as his client has been working with the Dubai Police, if the charges are not lifted, he will have to face the court martial, which will spoil his personal life and career.
The lawyer added that his client did the 'offence' without realising the seriousness of the act and out of sheer joy.
The case dates back to December 27 when the footballer arrived in Dubai for the Global Soccer Award ceremony. According to prosecution records, the officer was at Terminal 2 of the airport to submit a sick leave when he learnt that his idol was about to arrive.
The sergeant while passing by the passport control counter spotted Messi's passport, took photos of it and posted it online. The officer has also claimed in the investigation that Messi's security staff allowed him to take the pictures.
He was detained for 21 days after the incident and was granted bail at the start of his trial.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai