Dubai Policeman who posted Lionel Messi's passport on snapchat arraigned in court

A policeman who posted a video of himself on
social media holding Lionel Messi’s passport
could be shown a red card by a court. Dubai
Court of Misdemeanours heard Emirati JM, 26,
was about to hand a two-day sick note in when
he got wind of the Argentina and Barcelona
superstar arriving at Dubai airport’s private jet
area, where he worked, on December 27 last year.
Messi was in Dubai to receive the Player of the
Year award at the Globe Soccer Awards.
Prosecutors said he waited until Messi arrived and
tried to get his photo taken with the footballer but
he was told that it was not allowed as Messi was
exhausted from the flight.
"I then went to the passport control desk and
noticed that Messi’s passport was left there, so I
picked it up and shot a video of myself while
holding it," said JM.
He posted the clip on Snapchat with the caption:
"This is Messi’s, he is here in Dubai, what do I
do? Shall I burn the passport or just put it back!
Ok Ok you can go!"
The clip was later reported to police and JM was
charged with violating Messi’s privacy, which he
confessed to in court but said it was only a joke.
The policeman told prosecutors he had
permission from Messi’s bodyguard, who was
standing next to the passport control desk and
saw him as he spotted the player’s passport.
"He was standing there so I spoke to him in
English and asked him if I could take a picture of
myself with the player’s passport and he said
yes," said JM.
He added that the passport control officer present
at the desk at the time was not responsible for
the incident.
"I didn’t take his permission — he was there but
didn’t see what happened,” said the defendant,
who deleted the clip after uploading it to
Snapchat.
"I have no idea how it got circulated. I was just
kidding and had never done this thing with anyone
else before. I was wrong and I promise I would
never repeat such a behaviour," said JM.
Emirati policeman MA, 31, testified he was
patrolling the private jet area when he saw JM.
"It was 4am when I saw him still present and my
colleague asked him to go home, then my
colleague and I left to resume our checks ahead
of the plane landing,” said the officer"
MA said orders banning the use of mobile phones
during working hours were clear to all, including
the defendant.
"I don’t know why he did that, he knows it’s not
allowed. We all would love to have a picture with
Messi but it’s not allowed,” he said.
In court, the defendant confessed to the charge
and requested leniency. A verdict is expected later
this month.