A Doha Criminal Court has fined a New Zealand national QR3,000 for consuming liquor and disturbing passengers on a Qatar Airways flight.

The accused was convicted in absentia as he did not attend the trial, local Arabic daily Arrayah said.

According to the prosecution, the accused was travelling on a Qatar Airways flight from Bangkok to Doha. After he was detained upon arrival at the airport, the man confessed to the police that he had drunk alcohol on board the aircraft.

On the basis of his confession, the Public Prosecution demanded him to be punished  under Articles 1/1 and 270 of the Penal Law because he was a Muslim.

However, the court ruled that sentencing the accused according to the Shariah (Religious) for alcohol consumption required confession before the Judiciary Council.

As the accused did not attend the trial although he was summoned, the Court said that the Shariah could not be applied in this case.

Therefore, the Criminal Court sentenced him in absentia to a fine of QR3,000 in accordance with Article 270 of the Penal Law.

 

 

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