Korean on trial for taking photos of US Embassy in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI // A man was so enraptured by the beautiful architecture of the US Embassy he decided to take its picture, the state security court heard.

The Korean admin officer had been visiting a nearby embassy to obtain a repatriation certificate for a dead colleague of his. When he left that embassy, he saw the US one in front of him and stared up in wonder. He then took two photos.

"I did not know it was illegal. If I knew I wouldn't have done it," said the man, identified as DS. He said he took the photo while standing in front of an embassy employee and that he wouldn't have done this had he known his actions were illegal.

A verdict is expected next Monday.

hdajani@thenational.ae