• Home
• /
• UAE

Dubai worker accused of rape bid on flatmate cleared

Dubai - The public prosecution has appealed the verdict.

A Dubai expat has been cleared of the charge of attempted rape of a flatmate.

The Dubai Court of First Instance earlier heard that the expat, a 23-year-old Pakistani, working as a salesman, tried to rape a flatmate in her bedroom. The incident took place on May 19 and was reported at Al Barsha police station.

According to public prosecution records, the accused took advantage that the woman stayed in a room in their shared flat. He sneaked into her room while she was in the bathroom and then tried to force himself on her.

The reason behind the acquittal verdict has not been immediately known.

The public prosecution has appealed the verdict.

The complainant, a 22-year-old Latvian on a visit visa, said that she had just walked out of the bathroom when she was surprised to find the defendant in her room. "It was around 11.30pm on May 19. He kept asking me to kiss him. I texted my boyfriend who lived in the same building while I told the defendant to leave. But the latter pushed me on the bed, trying to rape me."

When her boyfriend arrived, he found the accused naked. The latter quickly stood up and denied having touched her. "Another friend also arrived. The accused denied again, saying he only touched my shoulder. I felt scared so I went to my boyfriend's place," she recounted.

The woman told the investigator that the building supervisor was informed about the incident. "Five days then passed and the supervisor had still not taken action. "The defendant switched off his mobile phone after I filed a complaint at the police station. But he was apprehended by the police."

The woman's boyfriend, a 27-year-old South African, said that he received a message from her on that night. "She was asking for help. I went to her place and I had to push open her room's door as the defendant was standing behind it to stop me from getting inside. He threatened to jump off the balcony if I called the police."

An Irish recruitment officer said that the accused asked them for forgiveness after he earlier claimed that he went to her room to fix the door's lock and that he only touched her shoulder.

The supervisor, a Pakistani, said that he scolded the defendant and told him not to go to the apartment again after he learned about what he did.

No date has been yet set for the trial at the Court of Appeals.

mary@khaleejtimes.com