UAE: BRITON AND SYRIAN ON DEATH ROW ESCAPE EXECUTION AS SENTENCE COMMUTED

March 13, 2013: Two men sentenced to death for drug dealing had their sentence commuted to four years in prison by the Appeals Court in the United Arab Emirates.
The court erupted in cheers from the relatives of MB, 19, from Syria, and NL, 21, a Briton, as the verdict was announced. The mother of the Syrian fainted briefly, before coming to and hugging the mother of the Briton.
The Syrian's defence lawyer hugged the mother, saying "I told you we will look back at these days and laugh."
Meanwhile, his sister, told their mother: "See, I wore red today to celebrate."
The Briton's mother was similarly overjoyed, hugging the assembled crowd.
While the Appeals Court cleared the two men of drug dealing, it found them guilty of consumption, and sentenced them to four years in prison to be followed by deportation.
The verdict was welcomed by the Briton's lawyer. "This verdict was expected," he said. "This proves the justice system in the UAE is fair and just."
He added that the defence were considering appealing the four-year jail term too, but were waiting to see the draft verdict. (Sources: thenational.ae, 13/03/2013)