Dubai: A businessman has been accused of hugging a pharcist against her will.
The 36-year-old Indian businessman, U.M., was said to have walked into the pharmacy on Shaikh Zayed Road and hugged his 24-year-old countrywoman pharmacist against her will in August.
Prosecutors accused U.M. of molesting the pharmacist.
The suspect pleaded not guilty when he appeared before the Dubai Court of First Instance on Monday.
The prosecutors said the suspect abused the fact that he was alone in the pharmacy with the pharmacist when he grabbed her and pulled her towards him.
“That did not happen,” the suspect told presiding judge Urfan Omar.
The pharmacist claimed to prosecutors that she was at her workplace when the suspect molested her.
“I was behind the counter when he came in. He grabbed me by my waist and pulled me towards him …. I managed to free myself from his grip. I reported the matter to the police,” she testified to prosecutors.
The suspect was quoted as admitting to prosecutors that he hugged the claimant despite the fact that he did not know her.
He was cited as claiming that he was joking when he hugged the pharmacist.
The suspect’s lawyer asked presiding judge Omar to adjourn the case until he presents his written defence.
Records said the 24-year-old identified the suspect at the police line up three times.
The court reconvenes on October 24.
