DUBAI // The friend of a man who owns two nightclubs has denied offering bribes worth Dh15,000 to a government inspector to turn a blind eye to any offences in the establishments.
Dubai Criminal Court heard that Syrian Z A, 47, spent from November until February trying to persuade Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing inspector B A, 28, to accept cash to ignore any offences at the clubs in Deira.
Prosecutors said that during interrogations the defendant confessed willingly, yet he denied the charge in court on Tuesday.
The inspector said it was his job to look into breaches of nightclub regulations and gave several examples of what would constitute a breach.
He said some nightclubs had been found to allow men in traditional Emirati attire to dance; some allow dancers to mingle with customers and open bottles for them; and some even allow dancers to strip to their underwear.
“The fine for any of these breaches would be between Dh10,000 and Dh50,0000,” the inspector said.
He added that fines of between Dh20,000 and Dh40,000 were imposed on one of the nightclubs owned by the defendant’s friend.
“In November last year he followed me when I left the club and asked to meet me in Ajman or Sharjah, saying that there would be a benefit for me in this meeting,” the inspector said.
B A told his supervisor and was advised to play along. He said he met the defendant in December and Z A gave him a list with the names of the nightclubs and said that should he find any of them to be in breach of regulations, he should leave and Z A would follow him and give him Dh10,000 for one offence and Dh15,000 if there were two.
“He also told me that I would keep receiving bribes for a year or two,” testified B A, who cooperated with police and prosecution for the Syrian to be arrested in a sting operation on February 11, when a bribe was exchanged.
The next hearing will be later in May.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
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Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
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On sale: Available for preorder now
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Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
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Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
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Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
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Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
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Sunday
Brescia v Lazio (3.30pm)
SPAL v Verona (6pm)
Genoa v Sassuolo (9pm)
AS Roma v Torino (11.45pm)
Monday
Bologna v Fiorentina (3.30pm)
AC Milan v Sampdoria (6pm)
Juventus v Cagliari (6pm)
Atalanta v Parma (6pm)
Lecce v Udinese (9pm)
Napoli v Inter Milan (11.45pm)
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Develop an innovative business concept
Have the ability to differentiate yourself from competitors
Put in place a business continuity plan after Covid-19
Prepare for the worst-case scenario (further lockdowns, long wait for a vaccine, etc.)
Have enough cash to stay afloat for the next 12 to 18 months
Be creative and innovative to reduce expenses
Be prepared to use Covid-19 as an opportunity for your business
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