Two on trial for smothering old man to death and gambling

Dubai: The trial of two Afghans who allegedly tied up an elderly Pakistani and smothered him with a pillow following a gambling dispute, began yesterday.

The Dubai Public Prosecution had charged the two suspects, V.M., 20, dyer, and M.A., 23, electrician, along with a third person who remains at large, with the premeditated murder of the victim, identified as M.R., who was in his late sixties.

The suspects were also charged with consuming liquor, stealing the victim's mobile phone, gambling and entering the country illegally. The Dubai Court of First Instance heard that the two suspects and the third Pakistani suspect engaged in gambling at the victim's flat in the Al Nakheel area.

An Egyptian waiter reported to his boss that there was a foul olour coming from the victim's flat. The boss reported it to the police who found the victim's decomposed body with a pillow covering the face. Police also found four cans of beer, playing cards and dice.

The victim's hands and legs were also found tied with ghutras (headdress).

In his statement to the public prosecution, an investigating officer testified that V.M. was arrested following investigations and he assisted the police in capturing M.A. Police found the victim's stolen mobile at M.A.'s house.

The officer said V.M. confessed that they went to the victim's flat to drink and gamble. V.M. said a quarrel ensued when he caught the victim cheating. The accused then killed the victim.

During the hearing, the two suspects denied the charges of premeditated murder and gambling, but confessed to consuming liquor and infiltrating into the country. The court will assign two lawyers to defend the suspects when it meets next month.