Salesman denies $5m carpet theft

A man entrusted to sell a million dollar carpet has been accused of stealing it.

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DUBAI // A salesman has been accused of stealing a Persian carpet worth US$5 million he was offered a commission to sell, a court has heard.

Pakistani AM, 47, allegedly disappeared with the handmade carpet in October last year after being entrusted with it by a shop owner, YA, to sell for a 20 per cent commission.

The salesman denied the theft in the Dubai Court of Misdemeanours last week.

The Palestinian YA, 59, reported AM to police after several unanswered telephone calls.

He said he had been introduced to AM through a business friend referred to as A.

AM took YA to meet a number of potential buyers, but when none of them would purchase the Dh18.3m rug, the shop owner left it with him to look for new buyers.

YA said he tried for two days to call the salesman but could not get through. He later found YA at his workplace in Al Rashidiya, where he was arrested by police.

The shop owner told prosecutors that AM said he would return the carpet if YA dropped the charges.

AM said he had given the 86-metre rug to A on the understanding he would return it to the shop owner.

The case has been adjourned to March 12.