Three barbers bribed a municipality clinic worker to falsify a blood test for one of them who has Hepatitis B, hears court.

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DUBAI // A barber with Hepatitis B and two of his coworkers bribed a municipality health clinic worker to falsify the results of his blood test, a court heard yesterday.
The trio were caught in a police sting after the health worker reported them, prosecutors told the Criminal Court.
JA, 39, from Syria, who works in the clinic's laboratory, testified that he was approached by one of the barbers on June 10 this year and asked for his mobile phone number.
"I gave it to him and he called me that evening and asked for my help to get a health certificate for his friend who suffered from hepatitis," recalled the health worker. He refused the offer and told the barber he was breaking the law.
But the barber persisted, calling him back later and warning him to "be afraid". The barber said they had obtained false health certificates in the past.
The health worker pretended to play along, but reported the barber to his boss.
Police were notified and a sting operation was set up. The health worker asked the three barbers to come for a blood sample collection and pay him the money, promising in return to falsify the sample.
"When EK handed me Dh600, I gave a signal to policemen who arrested him," said the health worker.
At the Dubai Criminal Court, EK, 40, MN, 36 and AK, 41, all from India, denied charges of offering bribes. They claimed the money they paid was to cover the blood test fees.
The next hearing was scheduled for October 7.
salamir@thenational.ae