Five on trial for tying up man and assaulting him

Dubai: Five Pakistanis are standing trial for the assault of a compatriot.

The Public Prosecution charged the suspects, three drivers, a clerk and an accountant, with unlawfully locking up the alleged victim, identified as Z.A., in a garage and brutally assaulting him.

Medical reports said the victim was left with bodily injuries that prevented him from carrying out his daily duties for nearly 20 days.

One of the drivers, 43-year-old T.H., was also charged with intentionally wrecking Z.A.'s vehicle when he rammed into it with his own car. The five suspects pleaded not guilty when they appeared before the Dubai Court of First Instance.

Z.A. said in his statement to the Public Prosecution: "I headed to the garage to claim money from a customer. The defendants took me by surprise when they ganged up against me and inexplicably assaulted me. One of the suspects, J.A., pulled out a piece of iron from his car and hit me on my head. I fell to the ground and was bleeding heavily. Then they pulled me into the garage, tied me to a chair and continuously assaulted me. T.H. came in last and ordered the suspects to beat me. Later I was freed by the police."

Eyewitness who escorted Z.A. to the garage confirmed his statement and alleged that the defendants took him by surprise when they beat him and prevented them from interfering to stop the assault. The court reconvenes soon.