Traveller assaults inspector at Dubai airport

A 53-year-old Australian has gone on trial at the Court of First Instance on the charge of physically assaulting a customs inspector at the Dubai International Airport.

According to the public prosecution records, the man was travelling from the UK to Australia via Dubai on July 25 when he refused to have his luggage go through the scanner.

He was not present in court to face a physical assault on a public officer charge. The police had referred him to the public prosecution with the additional charge of attempted suicide, but it was later dropped.

"He did not want his bags to be searched but was rather agitated and kept screaming at the inspectors," a customs inspector told the prosecutor. "I tried to make him understand that it was a routine procedure to search the travellers's bags. I was then given an order to take him into custody."

However, as the inspector was trying to handcuff the unruly traveller, the latter allegedly resisted. "He grabbed me by my uniform and pushed me down. He kept resisting arrest but I managed to bring him under control and handcuff him," the inspector recounted.

During questioning, the defendant expressed regret over what happened. He blamed his actions on the fact that he had to stay longer as his scheduled flight was cancelled. "I was already feeling angry and frustrated, and was tired and tense because of the travel fatigue."

The court will pronounce a verdict on October 22.

Source: Khaleej Times