Dubai resident on trial for alleged rape of American tourist in hotel

The suspect denied the charges at the Court of First Instance.

A Dubai resident is facing rape charges after a female American tourist accused him of sexually assaulting her at a hotel room.  
The 29-year-old Moroccan suspect has denied the rape charges at the Court of First Instance, claiming they had consensual sex. 
The incident took place on December 21, 2017, and a case was registered at Al Barsha police station.
The complainant, a 24-year-old American of Arab origin, said she had met the defendant on her flight to Dubai. "He introduced me to his accomplice as his cousin. I told him about the hotel in Dubai Marina I was going to stay during my three-day vacation. I invited him over to my hotel room and he said he would bring his cousin along. We all got drunk."
She told the prosecutor that she took him to the bedroom to recharge his mobile phone. Then he suddenly punched on her face and she lost consciousness. When she woke up, she realised that she was raped.
The duo then followed her down to the lobby and she reported the incident to the security guard. She claimed that they stole Dh 5,500, a pair of earrings and her passport.
The night operation manager at the hotel said he was called later by the receptionist. "I came to know from the night operation manager at the hotel that a hotel guest had complained that two men had raped her."
 The manager added that he went down to the reception and saw all the three seemingly drunk. "The woman told me that she was raped and assaulted. The police arrived shortly."
A police sergeant said they went to the hotel after receiving an information about the incident. "We spoke to the manager and then to the guest. She recounted the entire episode to us."
According to the forensic examiner, bruises and scratches were seen on the woman's body including, on her face, left chest, arms and legs. The body fluids found on her body matched with that of the accused.
The next hearing is scheduled for August 1.
mary@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Dubai