Man who carried bullet through airport freed

ABU DHABI // A man who carried a bullet in transit through the UAE on his way to the US was given a suspended sentence today at the State Security Court.

The Egyptian AS told the judge the bullet, found in his belongings at Abu Dhabi International Airport about a month ago, belonged to his sister-in-law's husband, a retired officer in the Egyptian army.

"He has an American-made gun, which is an old model, so with the circumstances now in Egypt, he couldn't find bullets for it," he said. "So he told me, 'Since you are going to the US, try to find a matching bullet for me.' This is the whole story."

The judge issued the suspended sentence, which means he is free to go, and told him he should be more careful next time.

"Thank you very much," AS, who also holds an American passport, said after hearing the verdict.

"This is our job, we are not to be thanked nor criticized," the judge replied.

hdajani@thenational.ae