2 Dubai expats kill businessman in hotel room, jailed

Dubai - It was linked with the theft of the victim's credit cards and mobile phones.

A 25-year-old expat was sentenced to 15 years in jail and his 24-year-old accomplice handed a 7-year imprisonment by a Dubai court after they were found guilty of killing an American businessman. The victim was on a Dubai trip.
The Dubai Court of First Instance pronounced the jail terms for the two, both Egyptians, on Tuesday. Two other Egyptians, who had been charged in the case, were cleared of helping and abetting.
Prosecution records showed that the crime took place at the businessman's hotel room. It was linked with the theft of the victim's credit cards and mobile phones.
The victim's Jordanian cousin sought police help after he failed to reach him for a few days. He reported him missing at Al Muraqqabat police station.
The police could trace the victim's whereabouts through his credit cards' details.
They found the victim's naked body in his hotel room.
The hotel's CCTV footage helped the police track down the main defendant who was last seen with the businessman.
In court, the defendant denied the charge claiming he did not mean to kill the victim.
During the public prosecution investigation, the main defendant said he struck the victim's head with a wooden plank alleging the latter had tried to sexually assault him.
The man confessed that he fled the scene after stealing the victim's bank cards.
The main defendant  told the investigators that he had gone to the businessman's room upon the latter's request who allegedly promised to help him get a job.
He recounted that he had met the victim at a café where they became friends.
The convicts, who were ordered to be deported, can appeal the ruling within 15 days from Tuesday.

mary@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai