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Dubai businessman insults Islam over visa issue

Dubai - Prosecutors called for the most severe legal penalty possible against him.

A businessman has been charged at the Dubai Court of First Instance for insulting Islam.
Prosecutors referred the 34-year-old Egyptian businessman to trial under the anti-hatred and discrimination law. They have called for the most severe legal penalty possible against him.
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The incident took place on November 26 last year and was reported to Al Rashidiya police station.
One of the complainants, a 40-year-old Egyptian electrician, said he met the accused about one year prior to the complaint. "I handed him over Dh13,000 to have a residence visa issued for my friend by the company he owned. However, after the latter arrived here, the defendant cancelled his visa. The visa holder filed a complaint at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation."
"Around noon on November 26 last year, after the complaint was examined, I was with the visa holder, the accused and my friend. When I tried to know from the defendant about the reason why he cancelled the visa even though he collected the money, he became very angry, verbally abused me and cursed religion."
The 25-year-old Egyptian man, to whom the visa was issued, corroborated the complainant's testimony. He said they reported the defendant right away to Al Rashidiya police station.
The accused was arrested on December 5.
He will be sentenced on May 19.

mary@khaleejtimes.com