Dubai: Three men have been accused of arming themselves with swords and knives and attacking a businessman, who was in his car, and stealing his company’s revenues worth Dh200,000.

The Chinese trio, 40-year-old L.Q., 45-year-old H.L. and 33-year-old C.W., were said to have used different kinds of sharp tools when they assaulted their countryman, pulled him out of his car and stole his money, in August. Two of the victim’s Chinese friends, who were present with him in his car, were also assaulted.

The Chinese defendants entered a not guilty plea and denied being involved in the armed robbery when they showed up before the Dubai Court of First Instance on Sunday.

According to the charge sheet, prosecutors said L.Q., H.L. and C.W. attacked the businessman and his two friends with sharp tools before they stole the money and fled.

The businessman claimed to prosecutors that the defendants attacked him shortly after he closed his office and headed to his car with his friends in Souq Murshed in Deira.

“I slid into the driver’s seat while my friends sat beside me and in the back. Suddenly, five men armed with swords and knives came and opened the car door. They pulled me out by force and started assaulting me with the swords and knives. My friends jumped out of the car and tried to defend me, but the attackers assaulted them as well. They stole the envelope that contained my company’s revenues of Dh200,000 in cash. I sustained severe injuries to my head, arm and legs. The suspects ran away,” the businessman claimed.

A police officer testified to prosecutors that primary interrogations revealed that the suspects were in Dubai International City.

“A police team was tasked to raid their residence and arrest them. Police detained H.L. first in an apartment in the Chinese Cluster with Dh5,300 in his possession. During questioning, he denied any involvement in the robbery. However, the businessman and his friends identified H.L. at the police line up thrice,” the officer claimed.

Records said the remaining suspects were arrested later.

The businessman has lodged a civil lawsuit against the defendant and is seeking a civil compensation claim.

The trial continues.