Drunk UAE tourist apologises for assault, gets pardon in court

The Russian bashed up a Filipino official in a hotel 

A young Russian tourist, who consumed alcohol and beat up a Filipino hotel official, was pardoned after he apologized in the Sharjah Misdemeanor Court.
The Russian had been charged by the court for consuming alcohol without getting a licence (for non-Muslims) from the authorities concerned in the UAE and for assaulting a man.
On being confronted by the presiding judge, the Russian admitted to consuming alcohol. He apologized to the court and to the Filipino official for his behaviour. He said: "I am a tourist and this was first time I was visiting the UAE and I did not know that consuming alcohol is forbidden in the UAE."
He added that the tourist company did not tell him that alcohol consumption without licence is prohibited here. 
The accused said that he couldn't recall what he did as he was drunk. He said, "I do feel sorry for beating up the hotel official. I apologize to the court and to the victim."
The Filipino victim told the judge that he accepted the man's apology and forgave him. He told the judge that he would not ask for compensation for his injuries.
However, he said that the accused needed to pay for the medical expenses as he was treated for 20 days, while dropping the case against the Russian.
The Russian told the court that he was ready to pay for all the medical expenses incurred by the victim.
The judge ordered release of the accused on bail by depositing his passport until the court judgment on December 20.
The Filipino victim told Khaleej Times that he pardoned the young man as he understood that he was drunk when he beat him and after his apology, he symphasied with him.
He said that the incident took place on November 15 while he was busy doing his work in a hotel located in Al Majaz area.
He added he approached the accused at 7.45 pm and asked him about his room number for pre-dinner orders. Suddenly, the Russian punched him twice on the face and assaulted him, the victim said.
The accused was arrested and he was taken to Buhaira Police station. The Russian was so drunk that he could be interrogated only the next day after he woke up, the victim said.
 

• Sharjah