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Four accused of kidnapping, assaulting drug dealer

Abu Dhabi - The gang reportedly abducted forced him into their car and took him to Shahama area, where they beat him up

Four men have gone on trial for beating up and kidnapping a man who charged extra for supplying them drugs.
The Abu Dhabi Criminal Court of First Instance heard that the victim had supplied drugs to the Emirati men on an earlier occasion, but they allegedly asked him to bring them more narcotics.
When the victim met the men again in Musaffah Shabia, the latter were already under the influence of drugs. They dragged him out of his car after he asked them for more money for the new batch of drugs.
The Emiratis reportedly abducted forced him into their car and took him to a remote area in Shahama area, where they beat him up and demanded that he either give them the drugs or return their money.
Police officers were tipped off about the kidnapping and set on the group's trail. When the men realised they were being chased by the police, they drove from Shahama to Bahia, where they released the drug peddler and drove away.
The police, however, continued with their investigations and arrested the men. Prosecutors later charged them with consuming drugs, kidnapping and assault.
In court, the men admitted to using drugs but denied kidnapping and assaulting the victim. They instead told the court that they had paid the man for psychotropic drugs and when he brought those, he demanded more money which led to a quarrel, but not assault.
They claimed the victim went with them voluntarily in their car to Shahama, and that it was not an abduction. The person who reported the matter to the police is the victim's friend who wanted to get them into trouble, they said.
The accused men's lawyer argued that the victim didn't file a police complaint until three days after the incident, which did not make sense.
It has not been revealed whether the victim was also charged for drug dealing.
The trial has been adjourned until August 29.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi