DUBAI // A Chinese teenager who was caught hiding in the cargo compartment of an Emirates flight has returned to Shanghai.
The boy was released without charge, reports in China said.
The 16-year-old, identified as Xu from Bazhong, in Sichuan province, arrived in Dubai in May after hearing that beggars in the emirate could make a lot of money.
Brig Ali bin Lahej, director of the General Department of Airport Security at Dubai Police, could not confirm that the boy had returned to China, as the matter was left in the hands of prosecution. However, he said the boy was treated with kindness and respect while in police custody.
“Our treatment at airport security is like that of any government body – we treat all people very well regardless of their nationalities, especially in this case, where the boy was under-age,” he said.
“We followed procedures and we made sure he was comfortable as it is a reflection of Dubai’s image and good nature.
“We don’t accept anything less than gently dealing with people. We are happy to satisfy people and are satisfied when people are happy.” China Radio International reported that Mian Jinlong, a Chinese translator for Dubai prosecutors, said the youth had “risked his life sneaking into Dubai because he heard an online rumour that even beggars in the city can earn several hundred thousand yuan a month”.
He also told the translator that “the cargo compartment of the plane was very comfortable, although he did not eat anything during the nine-hour flight”.
Chinese consular officials in the UAE did not respond to calls for comment.
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae
