Dubai: A businessman has been jailed for three months for attacking a trader with knives and sticks in collaboration with others after he refused to pay money to his assailants.
The Chinese trader was walking into his building in International City when his 53-year-old countryman businessman and others stopped him and asked him for money in October.
When the trader refused to yield to the assailants’ demands and threats since he was not told why was he being asked for money, the 53-year-old and other men assaulted him with knives and sticks and caused him several injuries.
When the victim’s friend saw the men assaulting him, he tried to stop the fight, but the assailants attacked him as well, and absconded.
Police were summoned to the crime scene and the trader was taken to hospital for treatment.
The trader’s brother identified the businessman suspect and helped the police in apprehending him. Police are still looking for the other suspects who are still at large.
On Sunday, the Dubai Court of First Instance convicted the defendant of assaulting the victim although he had pleaded not guilty.
Presiding judge Mohammad Jamal said the accused will be deported after serving his punishment.
The trader lodged a civil lawsuit against the culprits and in which he seeks Dh21,000 in temporary compensation.
The victim said the accused and the fugitives attacked him in front of the building’s entrance.
“At first they asked me to give them money without saying why. When I refused, they took out knives and sticks and assaulted me … I sustained serious injuries in my belly, head and arm. The attackers ran away shortly after my friend intervened and tried to stop the fight,” he told prosecutors.
The Chinese friend testified that the 53-year-old and other suspects attacked him as well.
A police corporal said when they reached the attack scene, the trader’s brother guided them to the defendant.
The primary ruling remains subject to appeal within 15 days.
