DUBAI // Two men who threatened to call police after discovering a massage centre they were visiting was, in fact, a brothel were brutally assaulted by a gang of pimps, Dubai Criminal Court has heard.
A 29-year-old Emirati who works with police and an Indian man, 25, met one of the defendants at Dragonmart, near International City, at 11.40pm on January 14 and the latter recommended the place.
“When at the brothel, I spoke to one of the defendants and told him that this business is illegal and that I could contact police to send a patrol. [At that] he ran towards the balcony and jumped out,” said the Emirati.
The other two men present ran away so he and the Indian man walked out. As he reached for his mobile to call police, they were allegedly met by a gang of more than 10 men.
“They held swords and knives. We ran away but they were fast and my friend fell while running so they gathered around him and started assaulting him with swords and a taser,” said the Emirati, who returned to help his friend and was assaulted as well.
A passer-by saw the assault and called police, who arrived and referred the duo to hospital where they were treated from almost fatal wounds.
“My friend lost a finger and suffered multiple severe wounds in the head and arms,” said the Emirati.
The victims were left with permanent disabilities. A medical report said the Emirati suffered a 10 per cent permanent disability, while the Indian suffered a 25 per cent permanent disability.
Police arrested three men the day after the incident.
In court the three Vietnamese defendants, aged 23, 24 and 30, were faced with charges of forming a gang, physical assault and attempted murder, all of which they denied.
The next hearing will be on December 19.
salamir@thenational.ae