Man charged with molesting woman at Dubai Mall food court

DUBAI // A civil engineer has been accused of molesting a woman while the two waited in a queue at a fast-food restaurant.

Prosecutors told Dubai Criminal Court that Lebanese Z N, 30, molested Emirati Z A, 37, on July 18 this year.

“It was about 2.30pm and I was waiting for my meal at the Dubai Mall’s food court when I felt someone behind me so close that I felt his body on mine,” she said. “I looked at back and saw an Arab. I told him to keep his distance.”

She said the man looked at her and deliberately placed his hand next to hers, so she asked him if he did not understand what she said. He responded in a provocative manner before walking off.

Her friend M A, 20, who was with her at the time, said: “It wasn’t crowded enough to assume it was by mistake, and when Z A told him to stay distant, he rudely said ‘shush’ to her then left.”

The woman called police. “He said he was standing behind and her and for no reason she started screaming at him, but he denied touching any part of her body,” said Emirati policeman Y E, 40.

Prosecutors said they played him the security film of the incident that clearly showed he touched her body.

“I’m not guilty,” the accused told the court. The next hearing is due on January 10.