DUBAI // Two men denied being part of a gang that attacked, tied up and robbed four men in a villa when they appeared at the Dubai Criminal Court.
The victims were beaten and robbed by men armed with knives who stole Dh800 in cash, a safe containing Dh70,000 as well as a number of official documents and ID cards.
Afghans D H, 23, and R J, 24, appeared before the court to face charges of locking up the men and robbing them.
Afghan F J, 38, who faces the same charges as his compatriots, was not present in court to enter a plea. Two other men who allegedly took part in the robbery were not identified or arrested, records show.
Prosecutors said that on July 16 this year, the gang raided the men’s room and locked up their victims after tying their hands and legs with tape.
“Men suddenly entered our room and they were carrying knives. They tied us up then started searching our clothes and the room for money. The beat us up as well,” testified one of the victims G B, 19, from Pakistan.
Another victim, M A, 60, an Indian, said he was coming out of his room in the shared villa when a number of men grabbed him, beat him up and then used tape to tie his hands and legs. “It was nearly 11pm when that happened, they gagged me and ordered me not to scream,” said M A.
Investigations lead to the arrest of D H, who police claim had tipped off the other defendants.
Pakistani R K was also charged with possessing money he knew had resulted from the crime, which took place in the same villa where he rents a room. He denied the charge and said he was arrested because his name was similar to one of the men allegedly involved.
The next hearing will be on December 14.
salamir@thenational.ae
