Dubai labourer stabbed co-worker 11 times after being dropped from repatriation list

Court hears suspect was angry after colleagues were placed on a flight home before him

A construction worker in Dubai has been charged with attempted murder after stabbing his colleague multiple times.

A construction worker is on trial accused of stabbing a colleague 11 times after he was left off a repatriation flight home.

The Indian, 38, flew into a rage when he was denied a place by his supervisor.

Despite his injuries the co-worker survived.

Dubai Criminal Court heard how the suspect was told on August 13 that he would not be on the next available flight – one of many that repatriated residents who had lost jobs or opted to go home during the pandemic.

“I was tasked by my employer to inform 22 workers at the company about their flight bookings,” said the victim, 25, also from India.

He said the accused approached him and wanted to know why his name was not on the list.

“He told me his mother was very sick and he needed to return home to see her, but I explained to him it was not my decision,” the victim said.

The next day, the accused met the victim again.

“He was angry and told me his mother had died, but I told him it was not my decision to select people to be sent home,” he said.

The accused then stabbed his colleague 11 times in the abdomen and chest. Court documents did not state where the incident happened.

Police arrested the man and he was charged with attempted murder.

The accused denies the charges.

The next hearing is on January 10.