A dispute that began with a message on WhatsApp has left an Arab man blind in one eye—and now, a Dubai court has granted him AED 100,000 in compensation.
According to a Khaleej Times report, the conflict started when the Arab expat sent a message deemed offensive to an Asian man. In retaliation, the latter physically assaulted him, striking his right eye with a punch that led to a detached retina and irreversible vision loss. A medical report later confirmed that the injury amounted to a 35% disability.
The case was first heard in criminal court, where the Arab man was fined AED 1,000 for using inappropriate language via a digital platform. Meanwhile, the Asian man received a six-month jail sentence and was ordered deported. These penalties were later upheld by both the Court of Appeal and the Court of Cassation, finalizing the verdict.
Following the criminal trial, the injured man filed a civil lawsuit seeking AED 150,000 in damages for physical harm, emotional distress, and income loss, with an added 12% interest claim.
The court, after evaluating medical records and official rulings—and noting the absence of the defendant despite formal notice—found that the injury had caused long-term physical and emotional suffering. The judgment acknowledged the victim’s pain, psychological impact, and diminished quality of life, particularly due to his impaired ability to work and his sense of humiliation.
Citing legal principles around emotional damage and compensation, the court awarded the victim AED 100,000 plus five percent interest from the date the ruling becomes final.
