Verdict delayed for 13 facing murder charges

The Criminal Court of First Instance has deferred the verdict in a case against 13 men accused of bootlegging, kidnapping, torture, murder and rape.

DUBAI // The verdict for 13 men accused of bootlegging, kidnapping, torture, murder and rape will be delayed until Febraury 7, a judge at the Criminal Court of First Instance said this morning.

All are charged with two counts of kidnap, murder and hiding bodies. Five of the men are also charged with sexual assault, and 10 with consumption of alcohol.

All 13 denied the charges, but could face the death penalty if convicted.

Prosecutors have said the 12 Indians and one Pakistani allegedly kidnapped Abu Baker Nujila and another man who has not been identified on January 1, 2009, and assaulted them with metal bars, pipes, sticks, swords, machetes and knives.

Five of the men are then alleged to have raped the victims before the whole gang buried them in makeshift, sand covered graves. The defendants were arrested, according to prosecution records, on January 25 after information came to light that the men's bodies had been found buried in Jebel Ali.

Police searched the Jebel Ali Industrial Area until they found the gang, still allegedly wielding swords, machetes and pipes.

When interrogated, the men said they were carrying the weapons for self-defence against rival gangs in the area.