Dh22,000 bribe offered for freeing detainees

Two Pakistani drivers allegedly joined hands with an Indian businessman to obtain the release of two compatriots detained at Hatta Police station by giving officers a bribe of Dh22,000.

Two friends of AH, 28, and MA, 27, drivers, were detained by Hatta police station for their attempt enter Oman illegally.

“We sought the help of AS, 42, Indian businessman who knew an officer at Hatta DNRD. AS contacted the officer KA and told him about the two detainees at Hatta Police Station asking him for help to get them release and expressed willingness to pay bribe money,” testified AH.

The businessman gave the names of the detainees via SMS to the officer. The officer forwarded the SMS to a CID officer at Hatta Police Station and asked him to enquire about charges against the two Pakistanis and told him about the bribe offer.

“The CID officer informed his senior, MI, and the latter asked the officers to go ahead with the briber and to pretend to agreeing with him to arrest him red handed. After pretending to mediate between the businessman and the CID officer to help bring down the bribe amount from Dh50,000 to Dh22,000, the DNRD officer agreed to meet the businessman in Hosn Hatta Hotel.

Businessman AS arrived with other the other two -- AH and MA -- and then the DNRD officer came along with CID senior officer MI. The officers told the bribers that they cannot release the two detainees immediately and that they have to wait until 2am when the officer in duty leaves the police station. The businessman agreed to that and gave the officers Dh15,000, saying that the remaining amount will be paid after  the release of the two detainees whom he named.

The officers, who were recording the conversation, then gave the signal to the squad assigned to arrest the bribers red handed. The businessman has admitted to trying to bribe the officers.

The two Pakistani drivers also admitted to the crime saying they arranged Dh10,000 and borrowed Dh5,000 from the businessman to make up the bribe amount for releasing their two friends.

The Criminal Court will issue its sentence on November 10.

 

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