5 rob businessman after forcing him to part with safe’s number

dubai — Five Britons stood trial on Thursday in the Court of First Instance accused of robbing Dh100,000 and €9,000 from a businessman after forcing him to tell them the secret number of his safe.

The men, all on visit visas, with ages ranging between 37 and 52, are also charged with holding the businessman against his will in an office in Business Bay. Only three of them attended the hearing and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The complainant, whose nationality is not mentioned in the records, said he received a phone call at around 7pm from a man who owed him money.

100,000 Dirhams and 9,000 euros were taken from the safe after forcibly getting safe number

“He told me he would be waiting for me at his office in Business Bay regarding some money issues.

I found five men (the accused) there. One of them pushed me against the wall and dragged me inside the meeting room,” the complainant told the prosecutor. “One of them pretended they were CID officers, while two of them went to his hotel room and brought the safe.

“They asked me for the secret code and when I refused to give it to them, one of them poured a glass of water on me and then broke it on my hand, injuring it.

“He then squeezed my neck with one hand while placing the broken glass on it, telling me to give them the number.

He gave them the number and they took Dh100,000 and €9,000 from the safe.

The witness, who had called the complainant prior to the incident, said the accused barged into his office at around 8am shouting and pretending to be Dubai police.

“I asked them what they wanted and they said the money I received from some people in Uganda for gold prospecting,” the witness said.

The court adjourned the hearing to December 19.

mary@khaleejtimes.com