Dubai: Two former colleagues, one a renowned journalist who was a candidate for the Federal National Council elections, have appeared in court charged with exchanging insults on Facebook.

M.E., 43, and journalist D.H., 47, who are both Emirati, each denied the accusation and claimed the other started the argument when they appeared before the Dubai Misdemeanour Court on Tuesday.

D.H. was released on bail, while M.E. was remanded in custody as he currently faces trial for using foul language on the Twitter account of Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Chief of Dubai Police.

"I did not curse him or use any foul language with him," D.H. told the judge in courtroom seven. "On the contrary your honour.

"He is the one who wrote an article in which he cursed me and called me bad names.

"He did so when I ran in the FNC elections. I only cursed him after he did it. He is the one who started [it]."

M.E. said the pair had known each other for 20 years.

"I didn't use any bad word," he said.

"Your honour, just review the file and point out for me what or where are the curses that I used.

"I know the claimant since 20 years. We were colleagues and friends.

‘He started it'

"During a majlis [FNC election gathering], he is the one who cursed me.

"He started it first, then I wrote an article and replied to what he said."

D.H. recalled accepting a Facebook friend request from M.E. "After a while he posted foul language in which he ridiculed me on his Facebook wall," D.H. said.

"I used to work for Dubai Municipality before I moved to a media department in Dubai.

"I have also written several columns and articles and have radio programmes, so I didn't pay much attention to him.

"Afterwards he wrote an article in which he called on Facebook users not to vote for me in the FNC elections.

"He also used bad language in which he incited the voters not to vote for me.

"Thereafter I complained to the police."

Common ground

After hearing the argument, the judge asked: "If you are friends and worked together, is there any possibility for reconciliation?"

"I don't mind at all," D.H. replied.

"Inshallah we will try to reconcile although I insist that I didn't curse him," M.E. said.

The judge adjourned the case until March 27 in the hope the former friends could find common ground.

During Tuesday's hearing, D.H.'s lawyer also lodged a civil lawsuit in which she claimed Dh20,000 in temporary compensation for her client.