Abu Dhabi’s Criminal Court sentenced a 21-year-old Briton, identified as N.L., and a 19-year-old Syrian, identified as M.B., to death by firing squad after they were caught selling 20 grams of hashish with a street value of about Dh1,500 (£262) to a detective posing as a customer.[1][2] The Briton’s mother collapsed outside the court after the verdict.[1] A Sudanese co-defendant was jailed for one year plus deportation and a 17-year-old Emirati was sent for rehabilitation.[1]

The court’s chief justice said police had watched the pair long before the sting, that they had previously dealt in harder drugs including opium and heroin, and that officers found hashish cutters, wrapping paper and other dealing instruments in the Briton’s home.[2] Defence lawyers had attacked the investigation, saying a witness did not know the defendants’ address.[1]

Acquittal of dealing, final outcome

In March 2013 the Court of Appeal cleared both men of drug dealing but found them guilty of consumption, sentencing them to four years in prison followed by deportation; relatives cheered in court and the Syrian’s mother fainted briefly.[3] The defence considered appealing the four-year terms while awaiting the draft verdict.[3] In April 2013 the Attorney General’s office said it would not contest the acquittal on the dealing charge, calling its stance neutral and fair to all including the accused, while the consumption convictions, jail terms and deportation stood.[4]