DUBAI // An 18-year-old Canadian tourist has denied offering a bribe to a policeman in return for releasing him.

KJ is accused at at Dubai Criminal Court of offering Emirati officer AA, 25, a US$1,000 (Dh3,673) bribe on May 23 after he was arrested with others for drinking alcohol and causing a disturbance near the Gold Souq in Deira at 7.30am.

“A colleague walked towards the two and asked for IDs but they refused to give him any but he could smell alcohol and noticed they were not acting normally,” said AA.

“He didn’t say the word bribe but he said he would give me money, $1,000, to let him go.”

Prosecutors said he confessed during investigations but in court, he denied the charge.

A verdict is due on September 14.

salamir@thenational.ae