A female Argentinian television reporter Dominique Metzger was robbed live on air while reporting in Qatar on the World Cup, with money and documents stolen from her handbag, however, she was pleasantly surprised when police told her she could choose punishment for the culprit.
An Argentinian TV reporter was taken aback by the response of Qatari police after getting robbed during the opening days of the 2022 World Cup, a report said on Monday. The tournament kicked off on Sunday evening as Qatar faced Ecuador in the first match.
She told her network Todo Noticias (TN) that officials promised to identify the suspect – and said she could choose the punishment for the alleged robber.
Argentine reporter Dominique Metzger had her wallet stolen in Qatar. She revealed that, when the Qatari police spoke to her, they asked “Which punishment would you like for the thief when we find them: 5 years in prison or deportation?” pic.twitter.com/CCZJYXM37t
— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) November 20, 2022
The police response puzzled the journalist then she asked the female police officer about what she meant.
She claimed the officer asked her, “What justice do you want? What sentence do you want us to give him? Do you want him to be sentenced to five years in prison? Do you want him to be deported?”
Metzger said she only wanted her items and wasn’t really bothered about the accused.
“I had my small bag on me with all the things that one needs, my wallet, the keys to our hotel room, some napkins.” Metzger told a TN network anchor.
“And you were dancing, right?” the anchor asked her.
“Yes, I was dancing with the crowd, and I’m convinced that it was at that moment when someone opened the bag zipper and took my wallet.” the reporter replied.
The anchor asked if she thought it was a pickpocket that stole her wallet. While the robbery was not captured on camera, footage showed her dancing among a crowd with her bag hanging down to her side.
“I didn’t realize at that moment, you know you’re live on air, with music and crowds around you, and I was focused on you talking to me too. So I wasn’t paying attention.” She said.
