Three jailed for attack near brothel

DUBAI // Three men led an assault on two visitors to a brothel they ran, leaving their victims with permanent disabilities.

The three, from Vietnam, were among more than 10 men who attacked an off- duty Emirati police officer, 29, and an Indian friend, 25, with knives and swords.

Dubai Criminal Court heard the assault happened when the pair realised the massage parlour they visited in International City was a brothel.

The Emirati, who is said to have narrowly survived the assault on January 14, said he de- cided to confront the men who ran the premises.

“I spoke to one of the defendants and told him that this business was illegal and that I would contact police to send a patrol. At that point he ran towards the balcony and jumped out,” the victim said. The other two men also ran away, so the Emirati and the Indian man left the building.

But as the Emirati reached for his mobile to call police, they were met by a gang of morethan 10, the court was told.

“They held swords and knives. We ran away, but they were fast and my friend fell while running. They started assaulting him with swords and a Taser,” said the Emirati. He said he re- turned to help his friend and was also attacked.

A passer- by saw the assault and called police, who found the men with severe injuries. A medical report said the Emirati suffered a 10 per cent permanent disability due to his wounds, while his Indian friend suffered a 25 per cent permanent disability.

Police arrested three Vietnamese men. The defendants, aged 23, 24 and 30, were convicted of forming a brothel- keeping gang, and attempted murder, all of which they denied. They were sentenced to two years each, followed by deportation.