Dubai court hears of death threat in dispute over unpaid wages

The defendant turned up at an electronics shop in Al Waheeda and demanded money from his compatriot, claiming it was salary owed him.

DUBAI // A man threatened to kill his compatriot and family if he did not hand over Dh1,000, a court heard.

The Bangladeshi man, J M, 31, turned up at an electronics shop in Al Waheeda and demanded the money, which he claimed was unpaid salary.

“He came to my shop for electronic services on September 25 and said that he would have his friends in Bangladesh kill my entire family and that he would kill me if I did not give him Dh1,000,” A H, 29, said.

He also claimed the defendant threatened violence if he called the police and gave him four days to come up with the money.

“He came on that day demanding the money. But I refused to give him any so he started screaming at me and the fight between us caught the attention of policemen nearby,” he said.

The defendant denied issuing threats and told the court that he was only asking for unpaid wages. “He gave me a part-time job but then didn’t pay me so I went to see him to ask for my money.”

A police officer O A, 30, said that he and his colleague saw a big crowd in front of the shop in Al Waheeda at about 10.30am on September 29 and they heard loud screams.

“We headed to the shop and arrested the defendant,” he said.

The next hearing at Dubai Criminal Court was set for next week.