A 32-year-old Gulf national is on trial for attempted murder in Dubai after allegedly trying to strangle a man he claims sexually abused him as a child. The incident, which took place during Ramadan at a mosque in Al Qouz, has brought the suspect and the alleged victim, a 39-year-old Gulf national, face-to-face in a dramatic courtroom confrontation.
According a Khaleej Times, citing court records, the altercation occurred after late-night prayers in April when the suspect saw the 39-year-old at the mosque. Prosecutors allege that the suspect, acting on a sudden impulse, approached the man and attempted to strangle him, leading to a scuffle that ended only when other worshippers intervened.
The suspect, who has entered a not-guilty plea, admitted to the assault but insisted he had no intention of killing the man. His lawyer, Nasser Hashem, argued that the attack was triggered by the trauma of alleged abuse the suspect suffered at the hands of the 39-year-old when he was five years old.
The 39-year-old claimant, who has known the suspect for 25 years, denied the rape allegations and asserted that he had no prior conflicts with the accused. He also claimed that the suspect had threatened to kill him during and after the attack. Medical reports submitted to the court confirmed that the claimant sustained injuries to his neck and jaw.
Following the incident, the suspect was briefly detained before being released on bail with a travel ban. While the court has dismissed charges related to death threats after the claimant waived his rights on that accusation, the attempted murder charge remains under consideration.
The trial is ongoing, with further hearings expected to address the defense’s arguments in detail.