Briton sentenced to death in UAE after drug conviction

Dubai - A 21-year old man from the UK has been sentenced to death in the United Arab Emirates, after he and a Syrian national, 19, were convicted on drug charges in the Gulf state.

The British Embassy in Dubai confirmed that the unnamed men were found guilty of attempting to sell 20 grams (0.75 ounce) of cannabis to an undercover officer, Associated Press reported. A British Embassy spokeswoman would not give the man's name or details of the crime as it operates a policy of anonymity. But the spokeswoman did say: We can confirm that a British national is facing the death penalty in the United Arab Emirates. We will remain in close contact with him and continue to provide the appropriate consular assistance. On occasions in the past the emirate's governing body has pardoned foreigners or substantially reduced their sentences. The cannabis the men were trying to sell is believed to have a street value of £262 ($421), according to the Mail. The last time an execution was carried out in the strict Muslim country was in February 2011, when a man convicted of the rape and murder of a four-year old child was sentenced to death by firing squad. The two men will have 15 days to appeal to Abu Dhabi’s High Court, the Court of Cessation. There are three appeal court judges, who could provide the Briton's only hope.