Trio cleared of kidnapping, assaulting 'drunk' neighbour in UAE

Fujairah - 'My clients have actually helped the law enforcement bodies and did not kidnap the plaintiff'

Three GCC nationals have been cleared of kidnapping and assaulting their neighbour by the Fujairah Court of Appeal.
Earlier, the Fujairah Court of First Instance had given a suspended six-month jail term to the trio.
Court records show that the case unfolded when the Dibba Fujairah Police were alerted about three citizens charged of allegedly kidnapping and assaulting their neighbour, who was inebriated.
The suspects were arrested and referred to the public prosecution where the plaintiff said the first and second defendants confronted him at the entrance of his house for no reason.
"They assaulted me, and later handed me over to the police station with the help of their cousin (third suspect)."
The case was referred to the court where the first defendant said that he, along with the second defendant, forced the plaintiff into their car without assaulting him.
"He (victim) tried to kidnap our sister while she was in her car, but she managed to lock herself down in time and called us for help."
As they reached to rescue their sister, the neighbour (plaintiff) escaped to his house. "We knocked at his door to ask him why he was harassing our sister, but he denied doing anything.
We could not help but force him into our car and handed him over to the nearest police."

The court found them guilty and gave them a suspended six-month jail term. The case was taken to the appellate court where the defence lawyer argued that the ruling of the lower court was null and void as it was based on the statement of the plaintiff who was intoxicated as per testimony of the cop, with whom the complainant was lodged.
"My clients have actually helped the law enforcement bodies and did not kidnap the plaintiff. It has been proved that the assault claim was false and plaintiff's statements before the police and prosecution were contradictory."

news@khaleejtimes.com

• Fujairah