DUBAI // A Bangladeshi supermarket deliveryman charged with the murder of a Saudi man at his International City apartment last August will learn his fate in two weeks' time when the Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance issues its ruling. The lawyer acting for the defendant, NK, 20, said yesterday that his client stabbed the man in self-defence and only after the victim had slashed him with a knife, causing deep cuts on his arm and hand. He had not intended to kill him.
The defence claimed the victim had turned violent after NK refused to have sex with him. The victim, identified only as AA, was reported missing on Aug 22, when two friends called the Rashidiya police station saying he had not been answering his phone for two days. Police obtained permission to enter his apartment and found the lights and air-conditioning on and traces of blood on the floor. The victim's body was found in the bedroom.
On the day of the killing, Aug 21, NK, had asked his boss if he would take him to hospital. The defendant had a large cut on his left arm which he said was caused by his bathroom mirror which had fallen and shattered. NK was treated for his injuries and went home the next day. The forensic report said the cuts on NK's left arm and thumb were sustained around the time of the killing. The report also showed seven fingerprint traces taken from the crime scene matched NK's prints.
The Public Prosecution office charged NK with premeditated murder and theft. The defendant is accused of stealing 14 credit cards from the victim's wallet, as well as an electric razor, camera and mobile phone. The court ruling will be delivered on Feb 11. hbathish@thenational.ae
