Dubai: A doctor, a cook and a restaurant supervisor are being prosecuted for negligence which allegedly led to the deaths of two children from food poisoning.
Prosecutors charged the 46-year-old Iraqi woman doctor, 25-year-old Nepalese cook and 33-year-old Filipino supervisor with negligence leading to the deaths of a five-year-old boy, Nathan D'Souza, and his seven-year-old sister Chelsea, last year.
The three suspects pleaded not guilty when they appeared before the Dubai Misdemeanours Court.
Gulf News has learnt that the defendants are scheduled to appear in court Monday to submit their defence or ask for an adjournment to hear prosecution witnesses.
Video from a memorial service for the children:
The Iraqi doctor's lawyer Mohammad Al Suwaidi told Gulf News Sunday: "My client has pleaded innocent since the beginning of the investigation … she denied any negligence. The forensic doctor testified during the prosecution's questioning that my client did not commit any malpractice. We might submit our defence in today's hearing."
Senior prosecution sources told Gulf News that the cook and the supervisor have been charged with violating the public health requirements of Dubai Municipality through unhygienic practices in preserving the food, which led to bacterial contamination.
The doctor was charged with negligence in providing medical care to the children when they were admitted to hospital after eating a meal from the restaurant.
According to the chargesheet, prosecutors said the children did not receive the necessary medical care to treat the food poisoning. The restaurant has also been added to the list of suspects.
In October, the Dubai Public Prosecution had assigned the higher committee for medical liability in Abu Dhabi to look into the case.
