Yahya related to me from Malik from Rabia ibn Abi Abd ar-Rahmanthat az-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam came across a man who had taken hold of athief and was intending to take him to the Sultan. Az-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam interceded for him to let him go. He said, "No. Not until I takehim to the Sultan." Az-Zubayr said, "When you reach the Sultan withhim, Allah curses the one who intercedes and the one who accepts theintercession."
USC-MSA web (English) reference: Book 41, Hadith 29
Arabic reference: Book 41, Hadith 1533