Syrian teen and British youth face firing squad in UAE for drug dealing
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A British man and his Syrian “accomplice” are facing the death penalty by firing squad in the United Arab Emirates.
After an undercover police officer caught them selling a little less than £300 of cannabis, they were convicted in a court in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE.
The two men, who have not been named, were caught selling 20 grams of marijuana with a street value of £262 to a detective posing as a customer. The Briton is 21 years old and the Syrian is 19.
The last execution that took place in the UAE was in February last year, where a man faced the firing squad after he was convicted of the rape and murder of a child.
Last night the Foreign Office was unable to confirm the details of the case or name of the man but a spokesman confirmed the sentence, according to the Daily Mail.
He said: ‘I can confirm that a British national is facing death penalty in the UAE."
The 21 year old’s mother collapsed outside the courtroom on Monday after she heard the sentence while the Syrian boy’s mother attempted to console her.
The defense lawyers believe there may be some foul play with the accusations as the police officer informed them that the Syrian asked the Briton to get the drugs from the car in Arabic.
The men now have 15 days to appeal to the Abu Dhabi’s High Court, the Court of Cassation, where the appeal will be determined by a panel of three judges.
Do you think the sentence for the men is reasonable? Tell us your thoughts below.
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In the states 20 ounces of pot is a misdemeanor and up to 1 year in jail lol.Normally,with a Lawyer you will get a $500 fine and time served on first offense lol.I guess it's true,weed can kill you lmfao.
God DAMN! the hell is wrong with you people??, its just WEED they aint killing nobody, more accidents are caused by drunk drivers around the world and in UAE than "weed", how many deaths from "weed" u ask? 0
ISLAM you say? let them ban alcohol if thats the case...bunch of hypocrites i say.
-UAE local
this is a load of crap a man that stabbed his wife to death just got 5 years and then reduced to 3 years and its easy for all you that are saying he should be executed because he is not a family member or a friend if he was a local we wouldn't even be having this discussion theres drug use in the uae but you should only use them there if your with a local these are kids where talking about 21 and 19
Death penalty does seem a bit extreme. They are still young, and everyone does stupid things at around that age. They still have their whole lives ahead of them, and I'm pretty sure they've MORE than learned their lesson just by hearing their penalty alone.. I stand by the UAE's strict laws against drugs, but death to these young people over simple weed and not even that large an amount is too much.. I hope this case get's over ruled.
Well Briton will used its wild card ........by involving british diplomats......british boy will get Immunity and syrian boy only has to pay the prize.
Dealing weed in UAE is a increedibly stupid risk to take given the penalty of getting caught, however, the death penalty for a crime of this scale is wildly out of proportion. Whether the death penalty is ever justifiable is a huge debate is most countries and although a zero tolerance attitude is a good way to go, this is too far.
Moreover, people who think that the death penalty for drug dealers is a good deterant should probably realise that the people that you are aiming these punishments for i.e. the drug kingpins are at that risk from rivals anyway.
Most of you links this case with ISLAM so I would say……….It’s all about law ann nothing to do with ISLAM ...everyone has to abide the country law whatever they are…….we should respect UAE law, if you think it’s too harsh so better stay in your native country…….as they are not forcing you come and sell drugs.
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In the end everyone knows that the British person will be free and the Syrian boy will be executed…and no one will say a single word.
its a harsh sentence and hopefully its gets overturned but at the end of the day thats the sentence in the arab states so he was a twat for doing it. i smoke weed and know to steer clear of it in places like that
no, being shot by the law for selling some marijuana is a little over the top. yes they are in their country, and yes they should face their laws, but surely execution should not be the answer.
Maybe a heavy fine, Flogging, and a last chance warning would be more ideal.
If we had the death sentence for drug dealers here in the uk, we would have very little dealers and even less addicts; surely that is good for society; personally I have no respect for scum who peddle death in the form of drugs...they should be dealt with accordingly...fill their own veins and lungs with the poison they peddle.
Cannabis today, cocaine tomorrow, heroin the next day. They start small and carry on until they are caught, and leave misery crime and death behind them. OK not a large amount and death might be a bit extreme in this particular case, but 2 years hard labour would explain the error of his ways, and make him think. HE IS NOT INNOCENT PEOPLE !
STFU Nigel you SCUM! You don't know the real deatails - just reacting to some newspaper report. We don't know what is going on and the less said the better to give justice and the appeal process every chance to happen without @rseholes like you firing off from your prejudiced soap box. SUCH A PRICK - now f@:ck back off to your hole and give us some peace.
The sentence is too strong. Yes he should have respected their laws and recognised where he was but death for a few grams of cannabis is too strong. PLease can you start and appeal???
So what do you think about this
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2164731/How-Kate-Middletons-curtsies-hurt-royal-reform-Richard-Kay.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
Rightly or wrongly, the british guy is in their country, and has to obey their laws. Islam has nothing to do with this case, ignorance is no defence, since he must have had the drugs on them in the first place. Visitors are made aware of the sentences, and still they choose to supply. My heart goes out to these guys parents
All very unfortunate, they should get a five year sentence.............. working with victims of drugs so they can see the utter destruction and devastation they cause to families. The Death sentence can be a probation sentence . They shoud also be forced to visit mexico (or plenty other places) and the scene of tortured and mutilated bodies along with the police and made to put the decomposed remains in to the body bags (without masks) like the police do every day. they should also have to break the news of this grueseme acts to the families of the tortuerd (and very often innocent victims as they are killed by way of pure evil murderous scum warning of the consequences). they should be very clearly in a uniform that displays they are part of this activities and
they should explain exactly who they are what they have been convicted of and why they are breaking this news (part of probation and rehabilitaion) to the family as they have been caught trying to make money out of this lethal activity .
could go on but may be seen as some rating clown which am not in any way just feel there is no real values around the place and dangers are not really taken serioulsy (just look at the crazy UK) where ASBOS rule the world (what a laughing stock that country is where values are very long gone im afraid with regards to drink and drugs
Absolutely awful situation ,this man does not deserve such a punisment ,2 wrongs dont make a rite ,The death penalty should be abolished any where in the world .
I agree with the death penalty only for crimes such as murder and hard drugs (a form or murder) under 2 conditions:
1) The perpetrator intended the crime and
2) the guilt is proven beyond doubt
(e.g. Anders Behring Breivik on both counts).
Since you or I could be so easily set up by someone putting a small quantity of a drug in your bag at customs the death penalty is too irreversible.
Anti-social elements should be sent to mines or work camps as punishments. That way they can make a useful contribution to society!
Where's the good old common sense gone?
I think you missing the point all visitor are aware of middle east law and outcome ....... and people still think that they are smart but i would called it ignorance.
do you raise your voice against this
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2164731/How-Kate-Middletons-curtsies-hurt-royal-reform-Richard-Kay.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
It'll never happen. There are far too many UAE citizens resident in the UK with too much to lose from the potential backlash. I suspect this case is being used to make a point. I hope.
Are there any crimes in the UAE that are worse, and do not carry out the death penalty? This was CANNABIS, not Heroin! Perhaps the Appeal courts would consider this. I do not believe that the UAE would be so barbaric to kill someone for a crime that does not actually hurt anyone!
Agreed ......after 15 days you will hear that Brit boy released ...decision over-rulled and only syrian boy pay teh prize.....if kate is abiding the UK law so why not otherz
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2164731/How-Kate-Middletons-curtsies-hurt-royal-reform-Richard-Kay.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
Islam and this contry like other is like geoge orwell 1994 treated like a robot cant exspress and thats why arab try get england they want to be drug and get free house an rob
Every country has different levels of punishment for crimes. These two might have been smarter to evaluate the risks beforehand. There are other countries with similarly harsh penalties for drug offences.
Whilst I suspect they may, in thruth, be guilty, it would appear that the evidence against them is tainted, in that the officer, who does not understand English, gave evidence that the Syrian instructed the Briton to get the drugs from a car in Arabic, when the Briton did not speak or understand Arabic. On this basis alone, in most countries, this aspect and possibly the whole of the officer's testimony would be discredited, which would be enough for acquital..
This is a case for immediate deportation not capitation. I often dispair at the inconsistency of international justice. How on earth can anyone justify a death sentence for drug dealing?
if Kate has to follow the law so why not other britz.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2164731/How-Kate-Middletons-curtsies-hurt-royal-reform-Richard-Kay.html?ito=feeds-newsxml