Expat denies charge of raping drunk tourist in Dubai hotel

dubai — A resident faced a rape charge at a Dubai court on Wednesday after a female American tourist accused him of raping her at her hotel room. The Moroccan man, 29, denied the rape charge at the Court of First Instance, claiming it was consensual sex.

The defendant allegedly had a companion with him at the time of the incident and he has been referred to the Court of Misdemeanours. According to court records, the incident took place on December 21, 2017, and a case was registered at Al Barsha police station.

The complainant, a 24-year-old American of Arab origin, said she had met the defendant on the flight while coming to Dubai. “He introduced me to his accomplice

as his cousin. I told him I would stay at a hotel in the Marina during my three-day vacation.

“I invited him over to my hotel room and he said he would bring his cousin along. We all drank alcohol and I got drunk.”

She told the prosecutor she took him to her bedroom as he wanted to recharge his mobile phone. She claimed he suddenly punched her on the face, after which she passed out. She woke up to find she had been raped.

The duo then followed her down to the lobby while she reported the incident to the security guard and to the police.

She claimed they stole Dh5,500, a pair of earrings and her passport from her.

The night operation manager at the hotel, a Syrian, said a receptionist called him. “I learned from him that a hotel guest was crying and complained to him that two men raped her.”

The manager added that he went down to the reception and saw all the three persons looking drunk. “I spoke to the woman, who told me that she was raped and beaten up. The police arrived shortly later.”

According to the forensic examiner, bruises and scratches were seen on the woman’s face, left chest, arms and legs. Bodily fluids found on her indicated that she had a sexual relation at the time of her complaint. The DNA of the fluid matched with that of the accused.

A report from the general directorate of criminal evidence and criminology cited two very short video clips taken from the defendant’s mobile phone, showing a woman filming herself while dressed in a shirt.

The trial will resume on August 1.

I spoke to the woman, who told me that she was raped and beaten up. The police arrived shortly later.”

Hotel manager, witness