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by Aspos 2772 days ago
If my memory serves me right the guy was caught a year or two ago and was under heavy investigation by UAE counter-intelligence team.

And a life sentence is not something UAE courts would hand out lightly, especially in these circumstances.

My best guess is that UAE have not got what it asked for to release the guy pre-trial, but will get something now and sheikh will pardon the guy next week.
2 comments
kencausey 2772 days ago
According to an earlier article [1] he was detained in May, seemingly of this year.

1. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-45871581

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Aspos 2772 days ago
Okay, half a year ago.
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oh_sigh 2772 days ago
Is it your belief that the UAE generally conservative with their prison sentences? What about the guy who had a piece of marijuana, invisible to the naked eye, smaller than a grain of sugar(0.003g), on his shoe - who was jailed for 4 years?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-512815/Briton-jaile...

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Aspos 2772 days ago
Never claimed that UAE is conservative with prison sentences. But having lived there for decade I can tell, in this particular case we are discussing UAE courts would not be quick to give life sentence.

UAE is in the hot region and their CID is doing an amazing job keeping UAE safe. As I recall this guy's case was somehow related to other much more serious cases where a bunch of UAE nationals got their life sentences as well. I, personally, have little sympathy to those who sabotage and disrupt peace in the region and I have no reasons to suspect CID to play stupid games in this particular case.

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