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Three Australian businessmen charged with misbehaving on a flight to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are expected to be deported from the country within the next 24 hours.
For the past six weeks the trio had faced the possibility of 14 years' jail or floggings under Shariah law.
David Evans has instead received a 12 month suspended sentence for using rude language and touching a stewardess on the arm.
Jeremy Snaith has received a six month suspended sentence for drinking alcohol without a permit and using offensive language.
A third Australian, William Sargent, has been acquitted because the prescription drug in his blood stream did not fall under UAE jurisdiction.
The businessmen's lawyer, Ross Hill, says they are expected to be deported within the next 24 hours.
"We're very hopeful that that's the time frame, but things never quite work as you expect in these countries," he said.
"So they're free to go, but from a legal point of view it's rather disappointing that while the court doesn't have jurisdiction in one issue it does have jurisdiction in another."
A spokesman for the businessmen, Shaun Mulcahy, says they are glad to have avoided a potential 14-year jail term.
"All [the] men are delighted to be returning to Australia, in particular Mr Evans and [Mr] Snaith are looking forward to getting back to business," he said.
"Mr Sargent's obviously delighted to be going home to his family as well."
- RADIO AUSTRALIA
