Dubai: Eight men were sentenced to three years each for kidnapping by force a manager, threatening him with sharp tools and stealing his car keys, Dh5000 and handbag.
The Dubai Court of First Instance convicted the eight Chinese suspects, aged between 25 and 45, assaulting the 39-year-old manager, J.L., kidnapping him and stealing his handbag that contained personal papers and cash.
According to the charge sheet, prosecutors said the defendants ganged up against the victim and beat him with their arms and legs then attacked him with taser guns and knives. They forced him into their car and drove off. Then they tied him up and beat him before they robbed his handbag that contained his passport, mobile phone, cash and other papers.
The defendants pleaded not guilty when they appeared in court.
According to Tuesday’s judgment, the defendants will be deported following the completion of their jail terms.
J.L. claimed that he was kidnapped from the parking lot of the building where his friend lived.
“I went out of my friend’s flat and went to the parking. Five men, who were armed with knives and taser guns, attacked me… then a car came quickly and they pushed me inside of it. They covered my face with a hat and drove off. They searched my pockets and took my handbag. They dropped me somewhere far from the parking and took off. Immediately I went to the police and informed them what happened,” claimed J.L.
Meanwhile his Chinese friend testified that when he went down to the parking, he spotted two strange men in the car.
“I phoned J.L. but his mobile was switched off. One and a half hour later, he called me and said he was kidnapped and robbed. Then we went and reported the police,” claimed the friend.
Prosecution records said police identified the defendants and their cars from the surveillance cameras fixed in the building. Police arrested the suspects later.
Tuesday’s judgment remains subject to appeal within 15 days.
