Dubai contractor jailed for Dh8m embezzlement

DUBAI // A man who fled the country with the Dh8 million he was paid to renovate four Emirates Post offices has been sentenced in absentia to three years in prison.

BH, 46, from Jordan, signed contracts on behalf of Al Hafiz Contracting and General Maintenance to carry out the work at the company's offices in Al Warqan, Al Heer, Al Yahar and Al Qouz at a cost of Dh38m within a period of 11 months.

The man had given Emirates Post letters of credit worth Dh8m as a guarantee the work would be carried out, but when the company tried to cash them they found the letters were forged.

Prosecutors said BH left the country on November 5, 2009, and had not returned since. He was charged in absentia with commercial fraud, forgery, use of forged documents and embezzlement.

The court also fined him Dh8 million and ordered his deportation.

salamir@thenational.ae