Court acquits two defendants in liquor trafficking, citing lack of evidence

The Court of Appeal has overturned the verdict of a lower court and set free two of the four men, who had been accused by the Public Prosecution of trafficking in foreign liquor.

The Al-Anba daily said, the lower court had found the men guilty and sentenced them to three years imprisonment each with hard labor and to be deported to their homeland after serving the sentence.

The Appeal Court acquitted the men, citing insufficient evidence and contradictions in the investigation.

The case, which dates back to March 2024, originated from confidential police investigations that led to a raid on one of the defendant’s residences in Sabah Al-Salem.

The authorities reportedly found quantities of imported alcohol and cash, prompting the arrest of four suspects.

Their residences in Sabah Al-Salem and Salwa were searched, uncovering additional liquor and suspected narcotics.

However, upon review, the Court of Appeal found that there was no solid evidence proving the first and third defendants intended to traffic in alcohol.

The court noted that the confessions presented during the case did not meet legal standards, especially in the absence of direct evidence or credible witness testimony linking the accused to a trafficking operation.