Dubai: Gang kills man for selling alcohol in its 'territory', jailed

Seven bootleggers were found guilty of beating a man to death with sticks and knives. Six of them were sentenced to 10 years in prison, and one would be jailed for three years, the Dubai Criminal Court ruled.

The murder happened when a fight broke out among the illegal alcohol dealers. Some were imposing control over areas where they were selling the banned items, according to court records.

One of the convicts said the victim and his group had sold alcoholic drinks in their 'territory', so they confronted them. Another man said he saw the victim trying to sell the beverages in the same area, so their group ganged up on him.

They admitted that they intended to harm but not kill him.

A resident, who lived on the street where the brawl broke out, said he saw the gang attacking the man with sticks and knives. He called the police as he spotted the victim falling to the ground while trying to escape.

He was bleeding from his head, nose and mouth, the witness said. The victim was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead upon arrival.

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