Construction worker killed roommate with scarf, Dubai court told

DUBAI // A construction worker strangled his roommate to death with a scarf after he refused to use magic to help his sick wife in India.

The 22-year-old Indian denied killing his compatriot when he appeared at the Dubai Criminal Court.

“We had a dispute so we started fighting,” he told judges, adding that he also stole Dh2,000 from the victim, not Dh200 as stated in court records.

On the morning of January 17 this year a security guard at labour accommodation in Al Muhaisnah 2 was checking workers’ rooms when he found the victim face down on his bed with his arms tied behind his back.

Police were called and the defendant was arrested a few hours later.

“He told us that his wife in India was bewitched and that his roommate claimed he was able to heal her through magic. But he did not fulfil his promise. The wife burnt herself and is in a critical condition,” said a police captain.

The officer added that the desperate husband said he paid his roommate Dh350 to help his wife but he kept stalling when asked about the treatment.

“On the morning of the incident, the man told us he was bullied by the victim which provoked him so he pushed his roommate, wrapped a scarf around his neck and placed his legs on his back and pressed hard on the man’s neck until he died,” said the captain.

The next hearing will be on July 24.