SHARJAH: Four people have been arrested by the police in Sharjah for forcing Pakistani nationals into begging.
According to the police, the group brought 35 people from different parts of Pakistan to Sharjah on the pretext of jobs but forced them into working as beggars.
“Out of the 35, 14 are people with disabilities,” police said.
However, it was reported by the police that all four gang members have been sentenced to one-year imprisonment, while a fine of AED100,000 has been levied on one of them.
Moreover, the accused will be deported after completing their prison sentence.
“This is the first case of people with disabilities being smuggled,” the police said.
Besides, police in Sharjah as well as Dubai have started an anti-begging campaign to round up people who have been contacting United Arab Emirates residents for money over the phone, according to reports.
It has also been reported that Dubai Police have arrested 78 beggars.
Dubai police have urged residents to not respond sympathetically to unknown people using electronic devices to reach out for money.
Besides, UAE passed an anti-begging federal law that punishes anyone found begging in the country. A fine of AED5,000 and prison sentence up to three months was announced by the Federal National Council in April.