Men found not guilty of attempted rape of student by Dubai court

DUBAI // Four men charged with the attempted rape of an 18-year-old student in an alleyway have been cleared by Dubai Criminal Court.

Prosecutors claimed Emirati M D was at a car wash with a friend on May 10 last year when A A, 18, and S A, 25, both Emirati, approached him.

They asked M D to go with them, but he refused. “A A pulled out a knife and put it to my stomach and told me that he will stab me if I don’t accompany them,” the student said.

A A and S A took M D to an alley where they met up with Emiratis A A A, 24, and A M, 23. The four men then tried to lower M D’s underwear.

“I struggled and fought back, then A A A stood behind me and pressed his body against mine and kissed me on my neck,” said the victim.

M D told prosecutors that A A and S A then took him to a house in Al Warqa 2.

“I requested to make a phone call before I entered the house. I dialled my mother’s number and told her what happened and where I was,” said M D.

His mother, S K, 34, told prosecutors she received a call at 9.30pm.

“My son told me what happened and I called my brother and told him to rescue him.”

The victim’s uncle, M K, arrived at the house and saw A A and S A carrying swords.

“I told the owner of the house that I want the defendants to come out, and when they did it was at the same time that a police car arrived,” said M K, 27.

A A and S A tried to run away but were arrested.

Police officer H A, 53, told prosecutors that the victim identified A A, S A, A A A and A M from an identity parade at the police station.

In an earlier hearing, A A and A A A entered a plea of not guilty to the charges of kidnapping, attempted rape and sexual assault. S A and A M did not appear to enter a plea.

All four were found not guilty by the court on Wednesday.