Saudi Arabian tourists stabbed ‘in a supermarket dispute’

DUBAI // Two men attacked three Saudi Arabian tourists with knives at a supermarket, the Dubai Criminal Court has heard.

The incident took place after one man and one of the victims bumped into each other at the shop in Muraqqabat on October 26, 2014.

An Emirati, 26, and a Comoros Island passport holder, 33, are accused of assault. “He banged my head against a metal bar,” said one of the victims, 31, adding that he fled the scene and returned to his hotel.

“I was bleeding, so I returned to our room to tell my brother and his friend.”

He said he stayed in the room while his brother and the other man went to look for the attackers.

“As we came out, a man carrying a knife pointed at me, then he and another person attacked me with knives, stabbing me in the left hand and thigh,” said one of the Saudi Arabians, 32.

He said his friend was also stabbed.

“We tried to defend ourselves and they only ran away when they heard police sirens,” said the second victim.

Bystanders gathered around the injured men and pointed police in the direction where the attackers fled. “We stopped a Nissan Maxima, in which we found the defendants in possession of drugs and knives. Their clothes were also bloodied,” said a police officer, 22.

He said a knife was found in the street where the attack took place. A fingerprint from one of the suspects was found on the knife.

“They also confessed to me that they stabbed the Saudi men,” said the officer.

A medical report stated that one of the victims has lost all mobility in his left hand and has a 15 per cent permanent disability. The injuries of his companions were not as serious.

Yesterday, the Comoros Islander denied charges of physical assault on three people, and causing permanent disability to one.

The Emirati was not in court to face charges.

The next hearing is scheduled for June 19.