11 deny running over man in bootlegging dispute

sharjah — Eleven people, who were allegedly involved in the murder of an Asian man by deliberately running over him and hitting him following a fight between bootlegging gangs, stood trial at the Sharjah Criminal Court.

During the court hearing presided by judge Mahmoud Abubaker, the accused denied the charges against them.

According to court records, a brawl erupted following a dispute between two gangs over illegal sale of liquor in Al Sajaa area. After some of them threw stones on others, the second group started to drive their cars in the area in an intimidating style and ran over the victim. He was later hit with sticks fitted with iron pieces on his head.

A police official, who attended the hearing, said the Sharjah Police received a traffic report about an accident in which an Asian was run over. Investigations showed that the first defendant was the one who drove the car that hit the victim. During the police interrogation, the second defendant said the defendant was the one who beat the victim after he was run over. The official also said that the body of the victim was found one day after the incident.

Another official told the court that during investigation, it was found out that before the accident, there was a fight between the two gangs over the right to sell liquor in the area. After the accused ran over the victim, they got off the car and beat up the victim, the officer said.

The defence lawyer told the court that one of the seven defendants, who were present during the court hearing, had no involvement in the case. “He was living in the same accommodation with the other defendants and got arrested. He was jailed for violating residency laws, as he was staying in the country illegally. He already had completed two years in prison and has nothing to do with the murder,” said the lawyer, adding that his rights to live a free life are being lost. The counsel also sought bail for him.