The sergeant, based at Dubai airport, earlier admitted to the charges when he appeared in the Court of Misdemeanours but claimed he did not mean to breach the star's privacy.

An Emirati police officer has been sentenced to one month in jail on the charge of breaching the privacy of Barcelona star Lionel Messi by posting pictures of his passport online.

The sergeant, based at Dubai airport, earlier admitted to the charges when he appeared in the Court of Misdemeanours but claimed he did not mean to breach the star's privacy.

The case dates back to December 27 when the Argentinian footballer had just arrived into Dubai for the Global Soccer Award Ceremony.

According to prosecution records, the 26-year-old officer was at Terminal 2 of the airport to submit a sick leave when he learnt that his idol was about to arrive.

The sergeant told the investigators that he did not manage to take a selfie with the star, who was then tired as he was told by the star's guards.

However, when passing by the passport control counter he spotted Messi's passport.

So he clicked photos of the passport and posted it on Snapchat, which is believed to have gone viral.

The court was told that the sergeant posted the photo of the passport with a comment that read: "This is Messi in Dubai... Now what to do? Burn the passport ...or leave it there? Ok. I will leave it there."

The officer claimed in the investigation he got the approval of a security staff member accompanying Messi before he took a picture of himself holding it.

In the court, the officer admitted to charges of breach of privacy and abuse of the telecommunication services.

The verdict may be appealed within the legal deadline.

mary@khaleejtimes.com