A Dubai court has handed down a severe verdict in a high-profile embezzlement case, sentencing an Asian man to jail and deportation for stealing 15kg of 24-karat gold valued at Dh3.2 million. The defendant was also ordered to repay the full amount, plus 5% annual legal interest, from the date the judgment became final until the debt is settled. The case, which began in early 2024, involved two partners who filed a criminal complaint with Dubai police after discovering the theft. The Public Prosecution’s investigation confirmed the defendant’s guilt, leading to his conviction for embezzlement of entrusted property. Initially, the Dubai Criminal Court sentenced him to six months in jail, imposed a fine equivalent to the stolen gold’s value, and mandated his deportation. Despite appeals to higher courts, the verdict was upheld. Subsequently, the partners pursued a civil lawsuit, seeking Dh4.5 million in compensation, which included the gold’s value and additional damages for financial and moral harm. The civil court ruled in their favor, emphasizing the defendant’s direct financial and moral harm to the plaintiffs. The court’s decision underscores the legal consequences of property rights violations in Dubai.